As the walk through the neighbourhood unfolded, I found myself confronted with several surprises. One of the early ones seemed to echo far more about life than I cared to admit. Externally, it was a shell of its former glory. The ravages of destruction and neglect were obvious externally, yet for reasons unknown, most of the glass on the lower floors was intact. With the burn marks, the concrete façade that appeared mouldy and deteriorating, was the strong blue declaration on a Tiffany blue backdrop, “YOU ARE AMAZING”.
It was a strong statement of hope and belief in something that I struggled to see.
There are moments in life where I feel like how the building looked, except for the graffiti. I know I have not reached for the best. As I try to blame others, I often find myself suggesting that “God isn’t pleased at being ignored,” (Romans 8.8) as if this both explains and excuses the state that I find myself in. Even if the externals are not as bad, the building echoes how I feel inside.
The graffiti reminded me of several statements divinity has made about me.
You are my beloved. As hard as it is to say, I am loved and treasured by Divinity. No conditions are expressed. No external readiness required. As I am, where I am, regardless of who I am, I am beloved. Using the words from the building in a Beirut neighbourhood, “YOU ARE AMAZING”.
You are my creation. As I looked at the building, it was hard to remember that there were architects who designed, VIPs who likely laid a foundation stone in the northeast corner,
men and women who contributed to the construction, and individuals who celebrated when it was complete. In any condition, they remember. Whenever and wherever I find myself, I can stand tall and say with confidence, I am Divinity’s creation, her child.
I do not know what will happen with the building. The graffiti reminds me I can be restored, a person filled with hope, kindness, and enduring willingness to act.
