Photography as Spiritual Practice – A Symbol of Hope
Guest writer: Eve Turek
“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.” – Henry David Thoreau
On a recent fall morning, burdened by all the trouble I saw and felt, close to home and far away, I sat with my journal and wrote these words:
“With all that is going on, going wrong, in the world, how and where do we find HOPE? As a photographer, I often seek an image to help answer that question or point to a pathway when I seek direction for my soul’s daily journey. How do we not lose heart? How do we continue to seek joy or peace or love, compassion or understanding when confronted by circumstances that seem to mock any of these as pipe dreams, impossible to achieve or sustain? Where shall I go? Lord, I do ask for an image of HOPE. I ask that. I need Hope now, Lord; we all do. We need some symbol, something to hold on to. Light in the dark. Please, that. I am asking for that.”
Then my analytical, photographer’s brain took over, trying to visualize what sort of image I could make, hearkening back to photos I had made before, like a dolphin leaping out of the waves or a shooting star flaming toward Earth from the heavens above. Either could seem symbolic of the hope I found elusive. I so quickly forgot I had asked the Lord of the Universe, the Great-Creator, for His symbol.
In the late afternoon, the glass ornaments I have hanging in my western-facing living room windows, as much to prevent bird strikes as to provide beauty to the room, often cast dots of rainbow color on the rug. But the day after I penned my morning request, I saw something I had never seen before, something I could not explain and had no frame of reference to pre-visualize. Suddenly, what looked like the shape of a large hand making the “peace sign” flashed in vibrant rainbow hues onto the carpet at my feet. I grabbed my phone and took a quick photo before the pattern changed and faded. I still cannot fathom what combination of sun angle and what particular ornament could have created the momentary pattern.
As I looked down at the floor where I walked, I immediately remembered Thoreau’s quote as well as familiar affirmations from Scripture:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace…” (Isa 52:7; Rom 10:15)
“…having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…” (Eph. 6:15)
I remembered that the One Isaiah proclaimed as the Prince of Peace told His disciples, and tells us today, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.”
As I ponder how best to live out my own daily life, bolstered by and infused with the peace that passes (or as I like to think, outruns) understanding, I find Hope that the God of Peace is with us, both as companion and guide, as we seek paths of peace to walk in.
Eve Turek
Grace Chapter Daughters of the King at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church will lead a prayer vigil on All Saints Day, November 1, 2023, for peace in Israel/ Palestine. The chapel at Saint Mark’s will be open for prayers from 8:30 after Morning Prayer to 5 p.m. before the 12-step Eucharist. People are invited to attend the All Saints Eucharist at noon outdoors at the stone altar in the Columbarium, weather permitting, or 5:30 p.m. Eucharist, and to pray in the chapel during the day, invoking all the saints to help us pray for peace in Israel/Palestine. Prayers for peace will be available in the chapel.
Joanna Seibert https://www.joannaseibert.com/