The picture to go with the story below.
Originally uploaded by tynemann
7.16.2008
Two-Sixty-Seven
If anyone ever offers an unforgettable journey to the top of a tower, be sure to ask whether they’ve actually completed the climb before; and also ask a few questions of the employees about what happens if you want to turn back halfway.
York Minster is a historical landmark in England. Hundreds of years old and a beautiful building to see and step into, the church is truly breathtaking. There are thousands of stained glass windows throughout the building. The high ceilings, stone and woodworking are sights that you rarely see. There was something else that day that caught my attention as we toured the old church.
We climbed the 260 or so steps in the circular staircase to the top of the tower. The stairs actually curve upward to the left instead of to the right. So as you walk up them your right arm is touching the middle column area and your left arm is holding the small handrail. Hundreds of years ago when invaders would try to rush up the staircases they would be at a disadvantage as your sword arm (right arm) would be impeded by the small confines. The defenders of course coming down the stairs would have their right arm free to slash away and repel the attack. (Small history lesson there…)
I guess the best part about it is that when you finally force your feet onto the top of the tower you’re greeted by an incredible view of York. This is quite a reward as there are many points along the climb when your legs are telling you to stop, but the people behind you or your own self-determination push you upwards.
The day was perfect as well. Bright white clouds and a sharp blue sky made the red and grey tile rooftops even more brilliant. The different shades of green from trees and grass areas made the view even more spectacular. As I walked the square rooftop viewing the sight from the different angles, my gaze focused on the ground below us.
There near the base of the building was a school I hadn’t noticed when we first came up. I saw about twenty or so school children scurrying in the areas below. The children played carefree as the great towering cathedral stood behind them. They ran back and forth between sunlight and shadows, yet they are enraptured with their own games and activities giving no second thought to the building near which they play. I thought about this for a moment, how these children can play freely in the shadows of a mighty building that represents an authority and presence so important to the city.
And then somehow, the life lesson is revealed.
Today among other things, fuel prices are rising. We face an election that will probably change the face of our country. The housing market is crashing. The unemployment rate is past 5%. The price of commodities is rising. Yet in all this, my creator still sits on the throne.
In that moment of seeing those children run and play I saw myself in them. I saw how God wants me to stay next to Him. How the problems in life will seem much smaller as my view of Him gets bigger.
I will not look to who sits in the President’s seat to solve my problems. I will not pray more or less depending on which party wins or loses in the next few months. I will not trust in a job or in money. I will not fear when the world around me seems to say all is lost. I will trust in my Father as I rest in His shadow.
I stood there for a moment that day and watched the children playing in the schoolyard. Their laughter and yelling could be heard way up here, 267 steps from the ground below. I took a picture that day of the children playing in their blue, white and grey school uniforms. I’ll probably use it someday to remind me that regardless of how the wind blows, regardless of what storms come I will rest and put my trust in the One who never changes. The One who holds the universe in His hand is bigger than all the worlds problems and certainly bigger than mine.
So after taking in the thoughts way up high on the rooftop that day. I started to question how we would get back down. I was hoping for a fireman’s pole or an elevator, to hasten the journey back to sea level. To my dismay it turns out you get down the same way you got up. The 267 stairs way. As I walked back towards the staircase I stopped to ask one of the employees if anyone ever had to be rescued from the confined quarters of the winding staircase. Yes she replied; someone recently had to be airlifted off the roof where I was currently standing. It sure sounded like a much more exciting way to get down, but I did have to wonder who would pay for that?
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jer. 17:7-8
Thanks for reading
York Minster is a historical landmark in England. Hundreds of years old and a beautiful building to see and step into, the church is truly breathtaking. There are thousands of stained glass windows throughout the building. The high ceilings, stone and woodworking are sights that you rarely see. There was something else that day that caught my attention as we toured the old church.
We climbed the 260 or so steps in the circular staircase to the top of the tower. The stairs actually curve upward to the left instead of to the right. So as you walk up them your right arm is touching the middle column area and your left arm is holding the small handrail. Hundreds of years ago when invaders would try to rush up the staircases they would be at a disadvantage as your sword arm (right arm) would be impeded by the small confines. The defenders of course coming down the stairs would have their right arm free to slash away and repel the attack. (Small history lesson there…)
I guess the best part about it is that when you finally force your feet onto the top of the tower you’re greeted by an incredible view of York. This is quite a reward as there are many points along the climb when your legs are telling you to stop, but the people behind you or your own self-determination push you upwards.
The day was perfect as well. Bright white clouds and a sharp blue sky made the red and grey tile rooftops even more brilliant. The different shades of green from trees and grass areas made the view even more spectacular. As I walked the square rooftop viewing the sight from the different angles, my gaze focused on the ground below us.
There near the base of the building was a school I hadn’t noticed when we first came up. I saw about twenty or so school children scurrying in the areas below. The children played carefree as the great towering cathedral stood behind them. They ran back and forth between sunlight and shadows, yet they are enraptured with their own games and activities giving no second thought to the building near which they play. I thought about this for a moment, how these children can play freely in the shadows of a mighty building that represents an authority and presence so important to the city.
And then somehow, the life lesson is revealed.
Today among other things, fuel prices are rising. We face an election that will probably change the face of our country. The housing market is crashing. The unemployment rate is past 5%. The price of commodities is rising. Yet in all this, my creator still sits on the throne.
In that moment of seeing those children run and play I saw myself in them. I saw how God wants me to stay next to Him. How the problems in life will seem much smaller as my view of Him gets bigger.
I will not look to who sits in the President’s seat to solve my problems. I will not pray more or less depending on which party wins or loses in the next few months. I will not trust in a job or in money. I will not fear when the world around me seems to say all is lost. I will trust in my Father as I rest in His shadow.
I stood there for a moment that day and watched the children playing in the schoolyard. Their laughter and yelling could be heard way up here, 267 steps from the ground below. I took a picture that day of the children playing in their blue, white and grey school uniforms. I’ll probably use it someday to remind me that regardless of how the wind blows, regardless of what storms come I will rest and put my trust in the One who never changes. The One who holds the universe in His hand is bigger than all the worlds problems and certainly bigger than mine.
So after taking in the thoughts way up high on the rooftop that day. I started to question how we would get back down. I was hoping for a fireman’s pole or an elevator, to hasten the journey back to sea level. To my dismay it turns out you get down the same way you got up. The 267 stairs way. As I walked back towards the staircase I stopped to ask one of the employees if anyone ever had to be rescued from the confined quarters of the winding staircase. Yes she replied; someone recently had to be airlifted off the roof where I was currently standing. It sure sounded like a much more exciting way to get down, but I did have to wonder who would pay for that?
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jer. 17:7-8
Thanks for reading
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