These are the days of whiplash. Of feeling your heart may burst with joy at your child’s cello lesson and, a half an hour later, sensing it break for those whose livelihoods were washed away overnight, for children trapped in a cycle of violence, for those in the path of the next deadly storm.
And then there’s the warring political yard signs in my neighborhood. The passive aggressive additions from two opposing houses down the street, who take turns adding more placards. Driving home from the bus stop the other day, my first grader asked me why those signs are yelling.
Have you seen this tweet? It made me smile and feel seen.
I don’t know what’s going on in your life at the moment, but I can imagine that you are carrying much.
On the ride home from cello lessons, I sat with my feelings about the song my daughter played. It was a simple folk song (as most cello tunes for beginners are), but it lit up some part of me that I realized the darkness had been threatening. I turned on an album I love, Songs of Comfort and Hope featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott. It helped that little flame of tenderness that Eva’s cello playing had reignited burn stronger.
You likely have many tools to carry with you in these dark days. I hope you do. I don’t pretend to know the grief or fears you’re facing.
But today I want to offer you, in the spirit of this series, Art’s Open Door, an invitation to view art through a spiritual lens, to let it be a small light in the darkness for you.
Below are a few prompts I invite you to try. (They are mostly questions: if you know me, this does not surprise you.)
Let Art Be Light
Choose a work of art. It can be music with or without lyrics, a work of visual art, a sculpture, a poem, even a sunset—truly any created thing you find yourself in front of or around.
If you don’t have a good one handy, I have two to offer. The piece of visual art at the top of this post is by my dear friend, Kristin Vanderlip. It is called “Inner Joy.”
And, here’s my favorite piece from the Yo-Yo Ma album I mentioned above
Find a quiet space for reflection. You may choose to simply experience the art first, to find a moment of stillness and presence. If you’d like, read through the questions before viewing/listening to the art, but know that you can also use them during or after. Whatever rhythm you find in this process, my hope is that you’ll allow each prompt to invite you into a spiritual dialogue. Afterward, take a moment to write down what you experienced in a journal or share anything important that came up with a friend.
By the way, if you have training in the arts, you may need to consciously disengage your critical mind/eye and tune into your heart.
Questions for Spiritual Reflection:
1. What do you notice about the work of art?
Before you analyze, notice the art in front of you deeply. Give it your complete and undivided attention. Even if you have seen this work before, name what you notice today. There is no wrong answer. Be specific. No detail is too small. What colors, textures, rhythms, or patterns do you notice? What surprises you? What sticks out?
2. What are you carrying with you into this moment?
Now, turn your attention to yourself. Name what you bring with you to this art viewing session. Stress? Fear? Anxiety? Pain? Joy? Resist the temptation to fix or problem-solve, simply be present to all you carry, making space for it by naming each emotion.
3. What does this work of art illuminate?
Imagine the work of art is a spark, a match struck in a dark room. What does this work of art help you see or see differently? How is God speaking here and now?
4. How would you like to respond?
I pray that, in these hard days, we can let art disrupt the cycle of whiplash, pausing to accept its offering of deep comfort and hope, to listen to the spiritual song of created things that connects us to God and to each other.
I’d love to know what work of art you chose and what came up for you. Share in the comments, if you’re able.
Bonus footage of the piece that inspired this post, featuring Eva, age 6:
What a great guide. These 4 questions helped me relax from the day for a moment. I ready to move forward with the next thing.