A Ship in the Stormy Sea

After the last building was down I took this picture which I thought was great. Now I am no photographer and don't know anything about what makes a photo great but I like the image.

As the old sanctuary fell one of the main beams pushed forward sticking out over the top of the building looking like the front of a ship. Of course, the church is often described as a ship (even an ark) adrift in the tossing sea of this sinful world. The church and therein the gifts of Christ keep us afloat. The waters of holy baptism flow over us bringing us through death into life. The words of holy absolution flow over us like a tide of grace washing us in Christ's forgiving word. Water brings both death and life. In the church it kills to make alive (in Christ).

The image is most fitting in the midst of such destruction (we might even say death) because from it the Lord is bringing new and renewed life. Certainly a new building will be soon to come but hopefully (and more importantly) a new and renewed commitment from the body of Christ to share the Word to the ends of the earth.