Outside the entrance of Anderson Chapel at North Park University stands this sculpture, commissioned by the college to be created by Egon Weiner, former professor at the Art Institute of Chicago. His Pillar of Fire sculpture stands on the spot where, legend has it, Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over the lantern starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Although not relevant to the rest of this piece, I thought this little factoid an interesting piece of historic trivia and decided to include it here. No extra charge.
I’m always conflicted about the appropriateness of religious statues and iconography; never knowing quite where to draw the lines between a high view of the second commandment and the call of an artist to bear faithful witness through his craft.
Two things about this sculpture appeal to me, however. The first was the title of the work: Learn of Me. My initial thought was that the title was appropriate for a piece at the entrance to the university’s chapel, signifying the school’s commitment to Christian worship and thought. Then I began to consider my first thought as being too narrow. The call from Christ to learn of me is appropriate to the entire university experience. Christ calls us to learn of him, not simply to learn theological facts about him:
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:16-20, ESV
Whether engaged in biblical studies or biology, whether learning to manage one’s time or learning to get along with a roommate, every experience on a college campus is opportunity to come to Christ, to consider how he holds all things together, and to learn of him.
I also realized that the years leading up to my son’s decision to attend this college have been Christ’s invitation to me, his personal calling to learn of me. I thought I knew what I was doing, directing my son in the way I thought he should go, imparting to him my best judgment and advice. As it turns out, Christ led him in a completely different direction than I had imagined, allowing him to take a number of twists and turns along the way. All the while Jesus has been saying to me, “Your son belongs to me. Trust me.” I have been learning of Christ’s compassion and goodness, his wisdom and power, his faithfulness and grace. I have been learning that his ways are indeed higher than my ways. I have been learning of him.
The sculpted hands were the second feature which captured my attention. My son has reached adulthood; it is no longer my call to direct him. My call is to let him go and pray he will heed Christ’s invitation to learn of me in every area of his life. As a product of the seventies—one who grew up singing, He’s got the whole world in his hands--I am now relying on the truth of those words. As my son leaves for college, I place him in the hands of his savior, trusting that they are good.
Joining Jen and the sisterhood:
20 comments:
gorgeous friend. The statue is also awesome. Learn of me. Soooooo poetic/true
I hope to be as strong as you in 7 years. Or tomorrow. Tomorrow would be even better.
Visiting from soli deo gloria. I am so impressed with what you learned from the statue. When I walk by a statue I tend to just see it as that, no real meaning behind it. Next time I walk by one I think I'll go a little deeper.
Thank you for this post. I love sculpture of Christ. I think it represents his human form. I love sculpted hands, too. Bless you in this stage of life. :)
I love your reflection on the hands. I also have two boys in college and just have to trust them into God's hands.
Most university leaders don't know this because it has been bred out of them over the past 50 years, but no one can actually get a college "education" without learning about Christ. So sad.
Blessings, and thank you.
i'm not ready for my owen to head off.... :) i bet in many ways, neither of you, yet here we are, both "forced" to trust HIM b/cs there just isn't any other way as a mama, huh?
(and, random: did you homeschool or did i make that up?)
wise words. i'm so glad you're listening to him so we can hear him, too.
May I encourage you as a mom who let three go out the door. Christ is faithful. More than we can imagine. Hugs.
Oh, I love what you said about the hands. I like how you are always able to draw me into your story, and I'm there right with you. Oh, and ever since you left the comment that you were tall, I like you even more.
Well, I can relate. My daughter finished her first year of college, and although home for the summer, you can tell she is moving into that independence of adulthood. There is both a joy and a letting go, as a parent.
Your words here will linger... And the "Learn of me" is somehow reassuring.
I'm not there yet with my kids but my mom and I did have a conversation about what would happen if God called my children to be missionaries in some far-off place. I am her only child, so these are her only grandkids. She panicked. I said I would be fine with it, but would I really be or was I saying that because I feel I should model to her, being a new believer, trust and faith? I don't know. Time will tell so I started to pray :)
Parenthood invites us to learn of Him in ways we couldn't imagine before we became stewards of our children.
Bless you, and bless him, as this new adventure takes flight.
As one who can be a bit controlling, as one can hold on too tightly because of fear, I hear the words that you are saying. It's many years until college for my girls, but I'm storing these words into my heart now.
Your hands photo is so powerful...I always look for them when perusing religious statuary. Hands speak louder than words sometimes...
N - letting go of our kids into the world is a difficult thing. But let's be honest -- when do we really stop influencing them? After a certain point, what we say has zero affect.
"Learn of me" is a great way to go. Follow my path as a dad, as a believer in Christ, as a husband, and as a friend.
This sounds good, but scares the daylights out of me.
This is a great post. I too struggle with icons and their place yet know whenever I look at that and think of God - God teaches me something just like He did with the stature here and you. And the photo of the hands is powerful. great message
I love the title of this sculpture: Learn of Me. The background information was interesting, but it's the way you choose your words and thoughts that make me want to read more.
tears.
I am in tears for and with you.
and for and with myself.
Great blog title! Returning the follow from my SITS day! Thanks again :)
Yes, they are good and He's got it. He's got you and your son. Parenting is hard work. I'll pray for you.
I'm sad. For some reason I haven't been getting your updates in my reader. Gotta fix that now.
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