The more you look… yes, it’s water- but strange things are happening!
Sunlight is being refracted through water, reflections, and the ripples are distorting the picture. Streaks of light and shade; odd colours and shapes. As you lift your eyes to the top of the picture, it looks like a funnel and a tube. That is what is there, but our eyes are fooled by the water’s movement and reflections.
It is a vortex, where water drains from a large bowl to feed smaller fountains under the bowl. Water circulates: it’s pumped back up, and then drains rapidly down the pipe and the whole process repeats endlessly.
Without proper boundaries, with no visual context, things are unclear- and even slightly disturbing. Could I fall in? Would I be in danger if I did? Who’s in charge- can they switch it off or are we facing a endlessly circulating system? Worse still, an accident? Is there anyone in control?
It reminds me of the rapidly moving, confusingly structured, mess of political intrigues that has been our lot for a year. It’s hard to find sense when the principal actors act on a whim.
So what is the context of this world of political strife and stubborn pridefulness? It’s very simple… God is truly Sovereign and the plots and manipulations of human leaders are as limited as the water in the photograph. Limits have been set- and we are powerless to overcome the Almighty Lord. Below are a few verses from Psalm 2 which describe the reaction of God to our schemes- and older translations of verse 4 say “God laughs, and He holds them in derision.”
Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
“Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them…Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.Psalm 2 v1-4, 10-11 (New Living Translation)
We can choose wisdom and set aside our puny ambitions. Or we can make God laugh- and experience the vortex of unstoppable history under judgement. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Premiers… act wisely, be warned, and live and act with reverence: or we will all face the consequences. May God grant wisdom and mercy to us all.
The Reflectionary 