Beautiful Things

Lately you may have noticed there are all kinds of people taking all kinds of stands on all kinds of issues, and some of the competing voices get a bit shrill, and the air a bit thick, and honestly, it gets a bit hard to breathe.

Sometimes I want to unplug. To turn it all off and walk away. To silence the angry voices, the accusations, the sarcasm and mockery and name calling. I can't speak to it, because whatever I say, I end up with a label slapped on my forehead, my motives judged, my worth (or lack of it) assessed. I am, after all, a cardboard cut-out. And so are you.

These are my thoughts when my son walks in the room, looks at my face, and asks, "Are you sad?"

I don't even know how to answer, because, yes, this is a heaviness and a sorrow, but am I sad? Can I be, when just this morning I slipped so small into the presence of unapproachable light, and these Words, they met me there, blazing radiant?

Psalm 96

Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
        sing to the LORD, all the earth!
    Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
        tell of his salvation from day to day.
    Declare his glory among the nations,
        his marvelous works among all the peoples!
    For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
        he is to be feared above all gods.
    For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
        but the LORD made the heavens.
    Splendor and majesty are before him;
        strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
    Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
        ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
    Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
        bring an offering, and come into his courts!
    Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
        tremble before him, all the earth!
    Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
        Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
        he will judge the peoples with equity.”
    Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
        let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
        let the field exult, and everything in it!
    Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
        before the LORD, for he comes,
        for he comes to judge the earth.
    He will judge the world in righteousness,
        and the peoples in his faithfulness.

I don't have to be sad, and I don't have to be silent. I can be glad with the heavens and rejoice with the earth, roar with the sea and all that fills it. I can exult with the field and sing with the forest, because there is a righteous judge, and all things are known to Him. He alone knows hearts, and mine is to worship and the earth's to tremble.

I could join the chorus calling names and mocking, but I would rather declare His glory among the nations and His marvelous works among all the peoples.

And that brings me to this:

A slideshow of photos taken by John Keatley for Arts Aftercare in Manila, Philippines, where they were piloting their Healing Arts Toolkit with twenty-four staff from six great organizations that serve survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Do yourself a favor and watch.

 

All of the women photographed in front of the green background are survivors of human trafficking. They've suffered unspeakable things, but they are finding healing through counseling, community, and the arts. They -- and those who serve them -- are truly beautiful.

Lately you may have noticed there are all kinds of people taking all kinds of stands on all kinds of issues, some with grace and some not so much. But there are other voices, too -- Master's artists quietly using their art to bring healing to survivors of human trafficking. And the LORD, the righteous judge, is creating beautiful things out of the dust.

Like a refreshing rain, the air washes fair, and suddenly I can breathe again.

* * *

Jeanne Damoff is honored to support Arts Aftercare and you can, too. Visit their blog to learn the various ways you can help. And if you live in the Seattle area, get your tickets now for their fund-raising event on August 27 at The Triple Door, where they'll celebrate the beauty and healing power of the arts for survivors of human trafficking. Enjoy an evening of music, photography, and the release of a brand new documentary film, and you'll help make the world a more just, free, and beautiful place. I don't know anyone who will mock you for that.

Comments

[Linda]

My heart has been just aching lately over all the noise - and are young people really leaving the church and are we doing something wrong? I so appreciate your wise, quiet words Jeanne. I've been writing for an organization - Freedom Youth Project - that is working to provide homes and help for the victims of human trafficking. The stories break my heart - the unbelievable evil. I am so thankful for what FYP and Arts Aftercare are doing.

[Sherrey Meyer]

My heart cries for all the noise to stop -- from whatever source it comes and for whatever reason! You have spoken my feelings so beautifully here. Thanks for sharing Psalm 96, a masterpiece itself.

[Sandra Heska King]

Oh, Jeanne, I so hear you on wanting to shut it all off and run. Thank you for pointing me to this group. And the background music? So chill bumpy. Our worship leader just last week posted a video of this group doing this song in their studio. It was the first time I'd ever heard it. And now I'll never hear it the same again.

Quietly using art to bring healing. That's what I want to do. I'm heading over to Arts Aftercare now.

[Jeanne Damoff]

Thanks so much, Linda, Sherrey, and Sandra! And please do check out Arts Aftercare and ask the Lord if He would have you be involved in any way. It's such a beautiful work. And I agree about the song, Sandra. Perfect soundtrack for this story, isn't it?

Love, Jeanne

[Dolly@Soulstops]

Your words spoke what I have been feeling @ some of the noise...prayed for the girls as I watched the video...love how AfterCare is using art to heal...thank you, Jeanne

[Diana Trautwein]

Thank you, Jeanne.

[Connie@raise your eyes]

Love that GOD is raising up wonderful organizations like this to fight this evil...

[Ashley]

Yes and amen!!!

[Deborah Carr]

Although, I suspect you are speaking of things taking place in the US, I, too (here in Canada) grow weary of the voices of accusation and judgement that so often fill the air.

I like what Henri Nouwen says about words and silence: "Sometimes it seems that our many words are more an expression of our doubt than of our faith. It is as if we are not sure that God's spirit can touch the hearts of people: we have to help him out, and with our many words, convince others of his power."

Surely our faith is best shared without shouting: perhaps through a moving video, a soft voice, a song of beauty, and a project rooted in a heart of love.

I'm delighted this pilot project is bearing fruit.