The Park - Part 1

By Annette O. Brown

"I was surprised to see someone else taking photos in the distance.  I thought for a few moments that perhaps they were a professional photographer.  The individual’s transition into a relaxed stroll after taking a few photographs made me think otherwise. 

“I’ll walk past her on the path to my car” I thought.  Moving quickly along the path her distant figure slowly became more prominent and I began to strategize about the way I would walk past her.  Gradually our paths began to connect, I said "good evening", she responded and the rest is now, as “they” say, history…
 
 “These are for my son.  He is going to wonder where they came from…”  Jasmine was very enthusiastic about the photographs she just took.  “I really like this view.  I get very good photographs here.”
 
“Yes I agree” I said thinking about the myriad of photographs I had taken at this location.  “I love the sunsets here.”
 
“This park” Jasmine declared, “is really a nice place to visit and it is great for the community.  You see families relaxing and having a good time together, joggers, children riding their bikes.  Years ago this road was not here.  They fixed the road and they upgraded the park.”
 
As she spoke I thought about information that was provided to me some time ago.  A friend informed me that she knew someone on a board that was formed to facilitate the upgrade of the park.  

“This park has provided so much to the community.” Jasmine declared. "Also, there is something about water.  It is like being in the presence of God.  Sometimes I  just sit and and look at the water." 
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I smiled and reflected on the fact that the contributions and importance of the park go far beyond its physical renovation.
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I believe minds and hearts often seek peace by the pond, families escape to a world of play and discovery, individuals find a place to unwind, restore their minds and contemplate the past, present and future…

Renovation is defined as the act of renovating a building.  In scripture a building is often used as a metaphor for one's body, a spiritual building.  Paul in a letter to the Corinthians in I Corinthians 3 states:

"For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building."...

How might Paul connect the renovation of the park to individuals in Christ or the Kingdom of God?