a ridiculous attempt

In a time of reflection today, I was struck by the sheer vastness of the term "God's glory" and my inability to wrap my mind around it. It's something that can't really be described or boiled down, yet it is inescapable in life. All of our experiences contain quiet echoes and faint allusions to it. During this thought process, I came across a question: how would you describe God's glory to someone with no experience with Christianity or the Bible? That's a great question. So here was the feeble attempt that somehow came out of me this morning:


What is glory? It is the vastness of an ocean spread to infinity before your eyes. It is the peace of bright green hills rolling and unfolding into a deep blue sky. It is the slow, terrifying movement of the Mississippi, unwinding endlessly in its journey, dividing the land and veiling the merciless tumult beneath.

Glory is the resolved and purposeful march of the ant as it relies on wisdom more unswerving and trustworthy than any we have known. It is the majestic strength and resilient poise of the lion, the cunning speed of the cheetah. It is the stable loyalty of the canine who disarms you with with his profound love. It is the splendor of a good an victorious king bearing news of peace and holding forth hope when it had seemed all but lost. It is the immovable safety of that king's castle and the tested might of the city walls.

Yes, and more. Glory is the assurance of a well-timed and wise word as it breathes meaning back into your soul. It is the illuminating phrase of the poet, the resonant laughter of the comic, the quiet resolution of the tragedy. It is the lift of a soaring melody over a steady march, the lilting sway of a slow waltz, the trumpet call of an anthem and a perfect cadence out of chaos.

Yet further, though words are increasing in their inadequacy. It is the fierce pursuit of a friend who pulls you out of the mire time and again. It is the untapped reservoir of his persistence to see you through, the heart-felt relief at his mouth closed, ears and arms open wide. It is the anticipation of shared joy and pain, of understanding and being understood.

I hesitate to press on. But it is still more. It is the enfolding warmth of a lover's embrace. Here my words are faltering... The joyful abundance of her smile, the epic and fearsome story in her eyes, the thrilling touch of her skin and the bold wonder of bodies entwined. It is the ecstasy of this union and the profound fear of rejection mingling with the plea for acceptance. It is the uncertain but proved trust in her faithfulness. It is the brilliance and beauty of beholding the life that came forth from this oneness, the the sweet speechlessness in its presence.

Yes, glory is the truth of life to come and a world made right. It is the mystery of love. Food in every mouth and justice in every hand. This all is glory, yet it is still much more. We have tasted, we have seen, but we know not the slightest of the fullness, the greatness, the sturdiness of this anchor of all things.