I don’t know about you all, but I am fascinated by things like stained glass. Watching the sun come up through it until it dapples the floor with color inspires a sense of wonder in me that is childlike. When I was young, I used to love going to church on Sunday mornings and sitting on the east side of the chapel so I could study the windows nearest my family’s pew.
It’s utterly amazing to me (one without an iota of artistic talent) that someone can take pieces of glass that have been colored with minerals, some soldered metal, and create works of art that tell a story and make the world a more beautiful place. However, I no longer think of man’s prowess when I look at things like this. I instead say, “This window makes light beautiful, but God made light.” God’s power and magnificence win…every single time.
To me, the fact that we desire to create something so breathtaking and fragile is evidence of the power of God in our lives. We are, in essence, seeking what is divine by crude imitation, and we can accurately judge the “rightness” of things we’ve made by examining the things He has created. After all, everything in His world is perfect in form as well as function, and we can only strive to create poor copies.
That was the inspiration for this, my first article with a by-line in In Touch Magazine! It started arriving in folks’ mailboxes this week, which means I’ve been cleared to post it here as well. If you would like to begin receiving our free magazine, all you need to do is visit our website and give us your name and address. You’ll start getting one the next calendar month.
I mentioned in an earlier post about how amazed I am that God has blessed me with a job where I can use the talents He’s given me to glorify Him and bless others. This publication of this article humbles me beyond all measure. After all, God doesn’t need me to do anything, but He allows me to be His hands and feet here on Earth. He is indeed good, and to Him alone belongs the glory.
If you would like to leave me a comment, you can do so here or on the In Touch Homepage.
Just gorgeous (and many congrats on your byline!) I always feel a sense of awe in cathedrals, and had the honor of living near some of the great ones when I was stationed abroad. They have a beauty all their own.
Cathedrals are indeed beautiful and inspire the mind to heavenly things. I walk in them now and have an entirely different perspective on beauty however. It’s nothing but shadows and air without God. 🙂 Thanks for reading, gal!
Thanks Jamie, I thoroughly enjoyed this enlightening article. Congratulations. The stained glass windows are something I miss in many modern-day churches. So often they are the complete opposite with dark paint inside, windows (if they exist) are usually closed and covered by heavy curtains to block the glare. Then we need to turn on the artificial lights so we can see! Go figure. 🙂 I went looking for a ‘wedding’ church with stained glass windows when I was getting married. My home church didn’t have any. (By way of clarification, it still doesn’t but it’s no longer my home church.) Sorry for rambling.
Oh no, I get it. Lots of places say they’re “old fashioned” or aren’t worth it. However, there is simply nothing more beautiful than a light filled room awash in color. Something about it lifts my soul. My philosophy?—Why not let God come into the church (in the form of light) when you’re worshiping Him?
I, too, love the artistry of stained glass. I’ve tried to replicate the look in some of my quilts. Not quite the same as sun shining through a beautifully colored window, but, hey, I do my best! 🙂
I am also fascinated with quilts, but I can’t even begin to make on my own. They are gorgeous and functional works of art.
You’re entirely too talented for your own good, Lorna! 🙂
One of my most amazing experiences was watching the light shine through the stained glass of the Sagrada Familia… Congrats on the article!
Thanks very much! Stained glass is, in a word, mesmerizing. I’m glad I’m not the only one who appreciates it!