Opening Up
Good Morning Friends,
A couple of weeks ago the Sunflowers on Jeju had been beaten up by the Typhoon and more than three feet of rain. But still the heads turned toward the rising sun even as a hundreds of handbell ringers joined at the International Convention Center for the 16th International Handbell Symposium. There the bells began arching in unity for a more beautiful world and ringing a sound like flowers Opening Up.
Scripture: Jesus read from the Book of Isaiah, “[The Spirit of the Lord] has sent me to proclaim . . . recovery of sight to the blind.”
Luke 4:18 (NRSV)
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion — to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NRSV)
Message: God reveals the glory of continuing acts of creation in nature and we can share in it. But the Sunflowers in Jeju at first did not seem Christian. Only in retrospect they did seem a little like handbells. Only in retrospect did they seem obedient. Maybe I was just seeing their backside. At first I imagined them more aligned to Greek mythology and the story of water nymphs turning into sunflowers always seeking Apollo’s chariot, to be once again joined in love. Only 2 % of the population of the Korean island of Jeju are Christian. They have their own myths. According to a Korean legend, Cheonjeyon Falls, a short walk from where we stayed on Jeju, means “the pond of God” where nymphs descend to take a bath at night. People bath there to be healed. But that was not the case the day we arrived. The Typhoon’s downpours had turned the falls into a torrent. Up from Cheonjeyon Falls is the stunning arch bridge Seonimkyo, which is also called Seven Nymphs Bridge. It was not far from there I saw the seven Sunflowers all beaten down but still beginning to face the Sun. It was there the water flowed in a cascade of sound through volcanic formation to the sea to be joined with the waters of the world.
Pray we face the Son each day and reflect his glory. Pray we stand tall. Pray we turn to God. Pray we produce seeds in abundance. Pray we are redeemed even as God redeems the world. Pray we are united in sight and sound in the unity of love with God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 