I expect you to be puzzled. The image makes little sense- without context, it could mean almost anything.
Could it be an angel-shape? Or the rear view of a swan landing on the river? Is it a painting, or a glass figure? Carved jade, perhaps? How big? (Approx. 1 metre tall.)
Let me tell you a secret… it’s carved with a chainsaw, out of an ice block. But I have removed the background from the picture. The ice is clear, almost like polished glass. It has colours and shapes, you say. Indeed- those are the legs of an audience, and a green waterproof mat, that is portrayed in an abstract form through glass-like clear ice.
Why is the photo being shown? As a metaphor for media coverage of the recent USA election campaign. (I’m not going to comment on the election results- that might polarise opinions and annoy half the readers.)
Do you think the media coverage was fair, easy to understand, and unbiased? No? I thought not. Trying to make sense of U.S. politics is extremely difficult from the British side of the Atlantic. Coverage was partisan from both sides- even if I thought one side was better than the other– and information was distorted and quite arcane. I hope people in the USA had a clearer perception!
From my perspective, a lot of news coverage was odd; it left a question mark about Truth and integrity.
This is the way of the world. We’d like to think elections are fair and honest but there is no guarantee. Money and influence direct MEDIA policy as well as national policy. Making sense? Or manipulating the voter?
This NOT the way of the Kingdom of God. Or at least it shouldn’t be! The task of preachers, pastors, prophets, and theologians surely ought to be to make truth clear, give unbiased commentary, describe the context fairly: then allow people the freedom of personal responsibility to decide how to vote. Accountable to God and their conscience, and well informed, the likelihood of sensible outcomes must be higher!
Muddying the waters and obscuring facts is not appropriate or just.
Lord, may Your Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.
