A film, music and paintings

[Geoffrey Colmer]

Happy new year, or if that’s a bit late happy Epiphany!

Over the Christmas and new year I did a few of my favourite things: watched some films that I’d seen before and some new ones, listened to some music, and looked at some paintings (this is one of my most recent obsessions!). They all had one experience in common, and the thought of this was triggered by the experience of one of the films. It was a French film which Cazz and I saw years ago and it touched us deeply, so I bought this and the sequel as a present. The film is called, ‘La Gloire de Mon Pere’ (The Glory of My Father). As we started watching it we were slightly mystified as to why it had such a powerful effect upon us all those years ago. Marcel, an adult, nostalgically recalls one idyllic summer spent with his family in the hills of Provence. The fact is that by the end of the film we had the same experience, and we put it down to the fact that like many foreign films, they are slow-moving and can’t be rushed, but in the process they draw you in, they do their work, they work their magic. So, by the end of the film, we were again thoroughly enchanted, but if I was to recount the story-line, you would be justified in thinking ‘Uh?’

And so often this is how music works for me. Music can’t be rushed through, you can’t just fast forward it. Music takes place in time and music takes time. To rush it is to weaken or ruin it. And the same goes for a work of art which needs to be pondered (a good Lukan Christmas word).

As I reflect on this at the beginning of another year, I’m reminded of two things. They impinge on who I am as I seek to follow Jesus and be transformed by him, and what I do as I seek to serve him in ministry.

One, that in our world in which the common assumption is that if it can be done at all it can be done quickly and efficiently, I need to take things at God’s speed not mine. And the biblical witness is strong on the fact that God is rarely if ever in a hurry.

And two - a reminder that I need constantly - it is his way and not mine, his work and not mine. I wonder if sometimes we are just a bit grandiose and place too much emphasis upon us doing God’s work, whereas it is his work that he does in us and through us. In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of his ‘other presence’ in the Holy Spirit, that ‘he lives with you and will be in you.’ Jn. 14.17. And although it requires us metaphorically, to watch the film, to listen to the piece of music, to look at the painting, not passively but in a way that is genuinely participative, it is he who ‘works the magic’. This isn’t just letting God get on with his stuff, but it is recognising that as we participate with him as he lives with us and in us, that we enable him to do just that.

[Geoffrey Colmer]

Hi Simon!

Sadly I can't make any of those dates. Probably it's best for me to send you an email with my possibilities. I'm away for a couple of days but will get back to you when I'm next in the office.

Grace and peace,

Geoff

[Simon Moore]

hi geoff
thanks for the swift reply. Any of these dates work for you in order of best fit preference here? 27/4, 25/5, 29/6, 31/8, 21/9

With best wishes
in Him
Simon

[Geoffrey Colmer]

Hi Simon! Great to hear from you. I'd love to come to Panshanger - let's arrange a date!

Grace and peace,

Geoff

[Simon Moore]

Hi Geoff
good stuff this well done, happy for you to be musical (with words) in Panshanger at some point.

best Wishes
in Him
Simon

[Geoffrey Colmer]

Good to hear from you Keith. Geoff

[Keith H King]

Here I am, making a fool of myself in from of some kids in Bangalore, India, last year.