Denver Seminary

I had a “work” trip this week out to California. We flew out from Colorado to do some flight testing with our airplane. I’m taking a couple online courses, so I’m able to keep up with my studies while away. I usually take online and/or intensive courses in the summer to permit me some flexibility and time to do other things. There are lots of course options available to take in-residence at the seminary, but I kind of like being able to do my own thing for a few months without having to report to class on a regular schedule.

As I was flying out, we flew over the Denver area. We slowly climbed up to an altitude where we could clear the mountains and then headed west. I watched as the terrain and details grew smaller and blended together. At fist, I could see individual items on the ground such as cars, people and trees. After a short time, I could only see trends such as roads, water and big green things (yards and fields.) At the same time, the clouds became more distinct.

I flew over Denver Seminary and saw the whole campus. I already knew that the campus has some interesting designs such as the image of a Christian fish (ichthus) and a large red cross laid out in the courtyard. You can see the curved sidewalks and colored concrete in the courtyard, but you might not recognize that it forms designs and a cross. There are photos on the seminary web site that show the view from the air. This was the first time I had seen it for myself.

As I flew higher, I was struck by how my understanding of the view changed. From low altitude I recognized that it was a busy work day with lots of people scurrying around. What I saw from altitude was that it has been a rainy spring, and everything was green. I can see one perspective or the other based on where I am at the moment. God is not like us in that sense. He can see both views at the same time.

In Isaiah 55, we are reminded that God sometimes sees the view and perspective that we may miss. Particularly, verse 55:9 reminds us “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (NIV) It’s easy to understand the change in perspective when we look out an airplane window or see the image of the cross in the sidewalks of Denver seminary. What is more difficult to see is that God may see what we don’t in other aspects of our lives.

I tend to get impatient with God and wonder why things are going as they are. I need to remember that I may not be able to see what God can see. He can see what I can’t, and I need to rely on Him.