Taking Pictures in Alaska

...and thoughts on the Second Commandment

We’re back!

Alaska was incredible, and we enjoyed lots of quality time with my sister and her family. In a land where the mountains meet the sea, we drove on winding roads that took us between lofty, snow-covered peaks. We walked every day along fields of delicate wildflowers, and when we hit the road south of Anchorage, the ocean views were hauntingly different from what we’re accustomed to here on the Atlantic coast.

AND IT WAS SO FRUSTRATING!

Trying to capture the beauty was an impossible task for this very amateur photographer. Even so, I tried, and these little rectangles of Alaskan majesty are evidence of my efforts, but, ultimately, I had to admit that a photograph just couldn’t adequately represent the landscape.

And THIS is why the Second Commandment makes so much sense:
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:4-6)

The commandment is very clear:
Don’t make it. Don’t bow down to it. Don’t serve it.

Any “carved image” is going to be a feeble representation of the God of the universe. It serves only to diminish our understanding of God.

My attempts at photography in Alaska were a vivid image of my tendency to reduce God to manageable proportions.

I’d like one small rectangle of God, please—one postcard-sized portion of the Almighty.

While we may not be guilty of “carving” false gods of wood or stone, we sure are quick to whittle God down until he works for us. We whittle down his sovereignty and his transcendence. We misrepresent his nature by taking something true about God and elevating it above other things that are true about God, and if something makes us uncomfortable, we simply whittle it out of the picture.

To protect our view of a manageable and tame God, we stick with devotionals that keep us comfy. We carve the Bible up and, in doing so, we carve up our image of God, creating a snuggly daddy god in place of the God of the universe who transcends all other powers.

When we prevail upon God to “give me a sign” instead of walking by faith, we seek to make an invisible God visible. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe,” said Jesus. He knew we’d rather bypass an actual relationship with God, to bow down to his gifts instead of worshiping the Giver.

Want an image of God? Look in the mirror! And then let the living and active Word of God carve you and re-create you until you even more beautifully reflect the image of God.

Back to Work Again!

An article I wrote addressing older women in the church found a surprising audience when it was picked up by several Christian sites including Tim Challies and The Gospel Coalition. Then, Bill Feltner of Pilgrim Radio asked me to talk about the topic on his radio program, and I’ll share the link HERE in case you’re interested.

Summertime here in Maine is short, so I’ll be in the garden if you need me!
Or hanging out with the adorable grandchildren…

Blessings to you in this glorious month of July!

Holding You in the Light,

P.S. I always enjoy hearing from you and love it when this letter becomes a conversation!

And as always, please share the letter with anyone who might be interested in reading along!

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