February 2, 2011

Eucharisteo = Beauty

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek;
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord."
Psalm 27:4

As I have continued reading through Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, she speaks directly into me.  She has brought words that I have never been able to put together to describe the soul feeling deep within myself, this Beauty that I chase with my camera, this God Beauty.  And I finally discover that it is not the beauty that I seek, but the beauty Maker.  I seek to capture the very face and hands that have made not just the beauty that I see all around me, but made me as well.



Chapter 6 has stopped me in my tracks.  I have to put the book down for days as I digest the meaning of the words before me.  It finally all makes sense.  This longing I have to capture the beauty.  And not just the beauty, but the details, the fine, minute, tiny details that make each object magnificent beyond words.  I have hungered for the Beauty, as I have hungered for my God, the Beauty Creator.

With Ann, I resonate with her analogy of a hunter:  "A hunter trying to capture.  And none of the shots are close enough, wide enough, radiant enough for the hunter.  What is this that I feel sitting here, coursing through me relentless, hot, ardent?  I have to seek God beauty."

Do you see it?  Do you feel it?  Hidden deep within all of us is the search, the need for God himself to be revealed.  Again, words atop page 112 stop me, as I must re-read again.  Years of longing finally defined for me, opening my eyes to the meaning behind the yearning:

"All beauty is only a reflection.  
Any created thing of which I am amazed,
it is the glimpse of His face to which I bow down.  
Do I have eyes to see it's Him and not the thing?....
...omnipresent God is Beauty who demands 
worship, 
passion, 
and the sacrifice of a life, 
for He owns it."



The photos here represent but a tiny percentage of all I've taken, trying to capture this God beauty.  Hundreds of shots were taken of a single daisy, all in an attempt to capture every nuance, every details that raptures my mind.  A mind that was not created to understand it all, but was created to appreciate it all.


So my journey of Eucharisteo, "giving thanks" continues.  My understanding of the insatiable appetite to capture the Beauty finally revealed.  And I rejoice and worship the Beauty Creator.

iFellowship


16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful and powerful post. The pictures truly capture a beauty from our Creator that is indescribeable. I am reading Ann Voscamp's book and seeking the Lord to change me, to be filled with that desire for Him alone. The book is so deep and so stirring and I am so excited to see what He unfolds in so the lives of so many through it. Thanks for sharing today. Many blessings to you.

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  2. Gorgeous, just gorgeous! Great shots and now you are making me even more crazy waiting for MY copy of this book! I can't wait! You are doing a great job with your photography. Have a great day!

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

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  3. Cherie, your pictures are GORGEOUS! And I love what you said here about searching for the Beauty Maker - yes! I have felt such a deep longing for our Maker....deep down in my soul.

    Thanks so much for your great words here. (and I'm intrigued about this book!). Happy iFellowship!

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  4. Gorgeous images to complement a perfect verse. Thank you!

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  5. Beautiful! Beautiful words and beautiful photos! God's beauty shining through you!

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  6. Cherie,
    Your photos are GORGEOUS and as a "wordie" and a "wannabe artist and photographer" this combination here today just struck my soul....what a beautiful reflection...it's amazing how Ann's book is spurring so many on...she is indeed a gift.

    Peace!
    lori

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  7. Georgeous pictures! God is so good and His creation is so wonderful! Just think it pales in comparison to what He has for us in heaven! Wow!

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  8. Friend, this is just an amazing post! "A mind that was not created to understand it all, but was created to appreciate it all." Love this!

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  9. Cherie, what gorgeous pictures. LOVE the daisy shots...

    I'm reading Anne's book right now, too, and it's transformative. What has struck me most powerfully so far is this whole idea that gratitude leads to trust in Him and trust in Him, complete and utter trust, leads to pure joy.

    And the beauty...Oh the beauty.

    Beautiful pictures and beautiful soul, friend.

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  10. You shine His light, girl! Beautiful!

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  11. Just beautiful. All of it. The words, that run so deep and the pictures that captures the words. Blessings to you my friend.

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  12. i'm loving the book too. so much to take in and let stir my soul. beautiful pictures to match beautiful wisdom. breathe it in, friend. eucharisteo always!

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  13. The more I read about this book, the better it sounds. I love the connections and insights you came to!

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  14. Your pictures are stunning! I just received my copy in the mail today and can't wait to begin reading. I am also contemplating doing my own "1000 gifts" post. I want my eyes to be opened to His beauty!

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  15. Beautiful! I feel the same way, but don't take pictures as beautiful as yours! I'm still learning.

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  16. Beautiful. I love how Ann writes about 'Christ in you' She has a unique style of doing so.

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