We stand in awe of the ocean
The thunderstorm
The sunset
The mountains
But we pass by
A human being
Without notice
Even though
The person
Is God's most magnificent creation.
- St. Augustine
"If you could take a photograph of God's most glorious handiwork, what would you photograph?"
I put this question to a group of young photographers at a summer camp in Romania. We had spent previous afternoons walking through the Black Forest in Transylvania--an obviously stunning reflection of created beauty. Less obvious to our group was this exclamation in praise of humanity from Psalm 8:
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
"Have you ever thought of yourself as 'crowned with glory and honor?'"
All too well, I knew their answer to this question. "I know the feeling of being thrown away like a useless rag," as one orphan boy put it. And another: "They don't care about us; they treat us as worthless." He was referring to staff of his government orphanage, but he might as well be referring to virtually every person entrusted with his welfare from birth on.
How do we proclaim good news among people whose central identity is that they have been thrown away? It takes more than words, and sometimes less.
We handed out cameras, and invited the young people to make images of themselves and each other--God's most magnificent creation. As it turned out, they relished this activity even more than the nature photography they had done the afternoons before. I couldn't help remembering the words of St. Irenaeus: "The glory of God is humanity fully alive." The afternoon with cameras in hand became an awakening to life.
As we later displayed the photographs for the whole camp to see, I also remembered a sermon from many years ago by Charles Swindoll. Commenting on the opening verses of John's gospel that refer to Jesus' role in creating the world, he observed, "When Jesus walked on the earth, he was walking through his gallery." The creator, humanity fully alive, walking among his most magnificent artistic creation--his fellow human beings. No wonder he loved us... even admired us?
To see the teen orphans admiring images of each other was a remarkable, transforming moment. I invite you to admire God's image in their humanity here as well.
Scott Dewey
manages/edits Geography of Grace
hung out for 3 years in Bangkok slums, and loves going back
lives in a 110-year-old house in Denver
visits family in Romania
Comments (3)
Beautiful images. Very inspiring. Thanx for sharing Scott.
Posted by David Hall | October 19, 2007 10:33 AM
Posted on October 19, 2007 10:33
Scott,
Somehow we all look alike - all knitted in our Mother's wombs by the CREATOR - yet, each of us is unique in HIS eyes, maybe that is what we need to "get ahold of" - our uniqueness is the place where we find HIM - whether we're Romanian or American - we all seek HIM, HE who fills the GOD hole in our hearts!
Posted by Pam Pipkin | November 10, 2007 4:29 PM
Posted on November 10, 2007 16:29
This brings back such great memories of those precious faces, loved deeply by God. I will never forget their joy as we showed the pictures they had taken every evening. It brought them a sense of accomplishment, of validation, and made them feel they could create something beautiful.
I love this website. Thank you for nudging us to care for others as God does, to reach out beyond our comfort zone to embrace all those who share our world,
Barb
Posted by Barb Demolar | November 12, 2007 11:42 AM
Posted on November 12, 2007 11:42