Page 3 - Glory & Grace Issue 12: Witnesses

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In anticipation of our family’s trek through the when the LORD descends upon it and Moses enters Canadian Rockies next summer, I joined the “Banff and that cloud to receive instructions from God (Ex. 24:18). Jasper National Parks” group on Facebook. Always a It’s from a cloud that three of Jesus’ disciples hear God
planner, I desired to learn from the experiences of speak during the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:34) and later
other travelers with the extra bonus of my feed being filled with gorgeous photos. In late summer the tenor of posts in the group, usually eager and helpful, noticeably shifted. Disappointment overshadowed elation. Complaints replaced compliments. The reason? Clouds. Or more specifically, clouds of smoke.
A record-setting series of wildfires, affecting all 13 Canadian provinces and territories, occurred in the summer of 2023 marking the largest area burned in North American history. During wildfire season, popular destinations like Banff regularly caution tourists that smoke can blow into the area from thousands of miles away. Every traveler, even the Quanbecks, hoped that it’s not their vacation that is ruined.
When fog, clouds, or even smoke obscures the views you’ve waited so long to witness, it can understandably leave a person deflated. British author Gavin Pretor- Pinney describes clouds as “everyone’s favorite doom- and-gloom metaphor,” because we interpret clouds as “the annoying, frustrating obstructions or the things that get in the way.” For as light and fluffy as clouds appear in cartoons, clouds more frequently get associated with heaviness, grief, or fear. Whether it’s ominous clouds signaling impending doom in a movie, PigPen stirring up a cloud of dust and dirt, or the “personal rain cloud” of the Lil’ Abner comic strip, clouds have a bad reputation.
Ironically, in the Bible clouds are perceived as the very location of God’s presence! When the people of Israel are liberated from slavery in Egypt, the LORD leads them in a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). Mount Sinai is ”wrapped in smoke”
Jesus assures his followers that “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” will happen, but at a time even they will not know (Lk. 21:27).
Perhaps the most beloved cloud reference in the New Testament is the “cloud of witnesses” from Hebrews 12. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith...Consider Him...so that you may not grow weary or lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Recently our congregation has been considering this “cloud of witnesses” theme. We are being reminded of our call to witness, sharing how we experience God’s transforming presence. We’re remembering our connectedness to the saints of the past, present, and future. We are also wondering how God might be shaping KOG to be the church that our community needs, offering witness that goes beyond “your grandparents church” and explores the transcendent through the cross and resurrection for a new age.
Connected to “the witnesses” from our past and present, in this issue of we dare to dream about, and reckon with, what a future as witnesses to Christ will entail. What does it mean to persevere as Christ’s church in today’s changing world? We hope you’ll join the conversation.
Pastor Jen
Pastor Ben