It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a post like this, and since this has been a week of intense posting here, I thought I do something a little different, if not entirely off-topic…
Yesterday afternoon, I received an email from She Who Must Be Obeyed, telling me to meet her at the Pentagon at 4:30 so we can run over to DC and see the Cherry Blossoms. Her reasoning was sound enough; it’s the high point of blossoms for this year, and Friday rush hour wouldn’t be as crowded as the weekend… and Saturday (today) is the parade and hoopla. Yes, opportunity knocks! Off I went…
Last evening was glorious in Washington, slight breeze, clear skies and temps in the 70’s; so nice after a long and harsh winter. There were a large number of people walking around the Tidal Basin enjoying the early evening, the weather, the beauty of nature combined with the creativity of men in a setting that recalls the heritage of an entire people. For once, they got it right in Washington!
Looking to the southwest toward the Tidal Basin, there’s a stunning view of the Jefferson Memorial with the bright color of the cherry blossoms and the people out to see the glory of spring.
The blossoms are thick on the trees right now both in white and varying degrees of pinks, gifts of the Japanese people nearly a hundred years ago, and carefully groomed and maintained by Americans as a reminder of our mutual desire to live in peace… and created by our loving heavenly Father to testify of His glory!
Sadly, it’s hard not to forget that in just a couple of decades after receiving this wonderful gift of 2,000 cherry trees from the Japanese people, we found ourselves at war, and what a terrible conflict that was! I hope that when we remember that, and when we consider the friendship that once again developed after that terrible war, we can all take hope that decency will prevail over the folly and avarice of men when we view these beautiful trees…
If my non-US readers will forgive me a moment of American sentiment, I think there might be an interesting thought in all of this that I hope we will consider. America, more than any other land that I know of, is made up of a People comprised of all peoples of the earth; it is a part of the national psyche here, and our national motto that dates back to our founding days: “Out of the Many, One.” We’ve been going through the book of Hebrews lately, and all week I’ve been trying to make the point that the Old Covenant is over, the New is here. The Old Covenant was an arrangement between God and a single group of people, to the exclusion of all other peoples, but it was a mere shadow of a greater, more glorious purpose that was to come, and in the fullness of time, God brought this to pass. Jesus Christ established a superior Covenant, one that welcomed all peoples into fellowship with God and each other: Out of the many: One!
America has not always lived up to the ideals of its founders, and the Church has not always lived up to the designs of God, but how can anyone help but be inspired when we view something like the Cherry Blossom Festival? Being immersed in an environment where two cultures come together with the backdrop of a heritage of unity, surrounded by visitors from every culture, speaking a myriad of languages, all gazing in wonder at the glorious creation of God?
I don’t see the nations of the world learning the lessons God has for them any time soon, but what about the People of God; can we learn to serve Him in unity? Yes, I realize that most will say that’s not possible, but I’d like to ask this: Why not? The Old is gone, the New is here! This is not a theory, and it isn’t just a hope, for God has declared it a Fact. Can we set aside our differing views on minor things long enough to be united around the important things?
Time will tell…
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Nice post! The pictures of the cherry blossoms in full bloom are absolutely gorgeous! Only God could create something this beautiful!
Amen!
Wonderful, Don. Knowing where you are, this Festival has been much on my mind lately. Many years ago, college friends and I went to Washington for the Cherry Blossom Festival. I’ve never been there and failed to be moved by a sense of the “presence of patriotism”. I hope others go to Washington, DC from time to time, and bring their children and grandchildren. There is an inexpressible (for me) sense of “continuity” with history, when we travel and take time in such places.
For some, patriotism can be a negative thing… a jingoism, an arrogant pride and sense of superiority that implies (or states), that “we are the best”. That is unfortunate. For me, it’s always been more a sense of wonder, of amazement at the tremendous risks run, the gamble and stakes riding on the Founding Fathers’ adventurous spirit in trying so radical an experiment as our democracy. I mean, the whole thing was an EXPERIMENT! A THEORY! This had never been done before. Our whole system of government was an “absurd” (in the thinking of the time) adventure in philosophical and ethical speculation based on classical scholarship and an unspeakable sense of social optimism.
I’ve always felt that Washington “humanizes” the history a great deal from our schoolbooks. It makes all that dry dusty classroom tedium both accessible and tangible. The Lincoln Memorial may be awe inspiring and bigger than life, but who can visit the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington Cemetery and fail to be moved by the stark realism of sacrifice represented there? Or Ford’s Theater? Or countless other locales?
Can’t explain the feelings. Won’t try. But it’s not arrogant pride. It’s far more a sense of wonder, of humility, and the nagging question of whether I am doing my own part to support and carry on the continuity of this bold experiment. Our democracy cannot remain static in history. It was a radical expression of hope in self government, adapted to its time and place and people. Each generation, it seems, faces the same challenges in maintaining this nation. We must adapt appropriately to time, space, and peoples.
How are we doing? I don’t know. How am *I* doing? I don’t know. But I believe, with all my heart, that travelling to Washington DC from time to time… and being reminded of the questions… is a very good thing.
Grace — LM
Great comments! You and I are in lock step on this. I never wanted to live here permanently, and I still don’t, but I will never stop visiting here for the reasons you stated. Thanks for putting it into words!
I feel the same way Don. I once mentioned wishing we could all come together and make our world better, peaceful… But was told the Bible says that will not happen and to pretty much forget it.
What can I say. I will always hope for it. My glass is half full no matter who tries to keep spilling more out of it!!
I’m with you Katie. The world is messed up, but if we came together as the Body of Christ, who knows what could happen; maybe something great, or maybe nothing much. Either way God would be glorified by our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ!
I want to share that my feelings are strong and very firm in Christ. Christ is my freedom. I am free I am not in danger of losing anything because I have my focus on him. Please friends – grab hold of the freedom and feel at peace. So many of my friends in Christ are afraid to change from old – worn out ideas – but in Christ there is freedom and what an excitement and buzz there is in that.
This America I see on the streets and mass transit is a melting pot of all nations – coming together – if only in America we focused on Christ alone… then we would truly come together for great things.
Amen.
Well said!
I have enjoyed Washington DC and all the monuments. It is to honor God. No matter what people do nature always outshines anything man can do. God knows how to inspire us to believe and see life through his eyes. 🙂
He sure does, thanks for contributing!
What a gorgeous post. Lovely pics, heartwarming words, and that thread of “always” and love tying all of it together. Thank you Don as always.
I must be going soft in my old age
🙂
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Thank you Pastor Davis, I appreciate your kindness, and I’ll check it out! I also apprecite you blog and lessons.
Nice pictures. The shaft that you picture does indeed speak to the oneness. The Egyptian needle (Baal’s shaft) pictured here end’s up with a oneness quite distinct from union in Christ from my reading of scripture.
If you want to take it that way…
Kings 18:21 – “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”
Of course I’m probably mistaken, but it seems rather a stretch to me to impose the spiritual worship of Baal, or of ancient Egyptian spiritual practices upon the Washington Monument because of a similar style of architecture, since the historical, cultural and spiritual contexts bear no realation to each other, no relation at all other than the style of architecture… but as I said, I must be mistaken…
I think you were glad that you got summoned 🙂 Off you go with your camera. Yes I think you loved your day out. vw
It had its points both ways, I didn’t bother with the unpleasant aspects 🙂
🙂 Glad you enjoyed yourself. vw
Lovely photos. Australia is also a country made up of those from all nations. And I love the stuff you have been writing about Hebrews lately – it is like a breath of fresh air 🙂
I should have thought of Australia, yes! Sorry about that!