( Chelsea and Craig enjoying breakfast at Bondi after a job well-done.)
I’m the first to admit that I’ve called it an “Un-Godly hour” before, but I take it all back. I’m not saying it was easy to get up that early. Having gotten to bed around 12:30ish, I was a little worse for wear when the alarm rang at 4:30 on Saturday morning. Still, a hot shower & and a can of “V” energy drink & it was all good.
As I walked down to the car, heavy-laden with all my camera gear, I have to admit that I was feeling pretty good. It’s quiet, there is the faintest chill in the air (but still warm enough to be happy in shorts) and the world is still in blessed repose.
The stereo started on, but got turned off after a minute or two. It was nice enough to just soak in the lights, the air, the quiet. It’s all beautiful.
It got me thinking.
It’s a busy time, not just physically, but mentally. I’m doing all kinds of stuff & I am getting ready for the exams. All kinds of crazy things to think about… The question of justification in the ‘new perspecive’ on Paul & whether or not it is a soteriological or ecclesiological issue, resurrection reference and the OT, or tackling those dang aorist and future passive indicatives. It’s great to ask all of these big questions, but as I flashed through empty streets on an early Saturday morning, I was aware that I was in danger of loosing focus.
Everyone has heard the quote about “not seeing the forest for all the trees”, and that very thing is the danger that I realised I live. All this theology. Struggling to come to terms with God. Great stuff, but dangerous if it means that you loose focus on the most simple of truths. Christ died for our sins & came to life three days later, defeating death and giving hope to all those who “confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead” (Rom 10:9).
“Simplify, simplify, simplify” said Thoreau, “our life is frittered away by detail”. It’s not the first time that I have thought about this stuff, but it seemed to hit me with new clarity. Empty streets speaking to a mind that needs to be emptied of clutter.
My morning proved to be cathartic in this way. Tubeo & Chels turned up on time & despite a lack of actual dawn (dang you clouds) the morning was lovely, the conversation flowed easily & the sculptures themselves were pretty awesome! It was simply a matter of enjoying good company & being moved by man’s little interpretations lying amongst the splendour of God’s awesome creation!
From there we moved to breakfast in Bondi (followed by breakfast again for those who were keen) and more chat before it was back to the real world.
Of course, I need to be passing exams, but it is good to be reminded that we need to spend time not only memorising, but marvelling. The earth, despite the destruction we wreak on it, is an awe inspiring creation!
If you’re in Sydney & you get the chance to swing by Bondi, go check out the efforts of man too…