When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:13-15
The steeples tower over the old town just beside the river that flows peacefully through the city. I am feeling anything but peaceful. Anxiety is in full force as I contemplate my next move. As a photographer, I often find myself in situations that are way outside of my comfort zone. In Zürich, Switzerland, there is a 12th century church called the Grossmünster. Historically significant, this church was the site of the beginnings of the Reformation in Switzerland. Aesthetically, its otherwise plain interior contains beautiful stained-glass windows created by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti. The church’s tall twin towers are one of Zürich’s most notable landmarks. Inside one of the two towers, there are narrow stairs leading up to the top. Set in the picturesque Old Town and overlooking both the town and the River Limmat, this tower perhaps affords one of the best views of Zürich. Standing in front of the church, I know I have to climb the stairs in that tower in order to have what I hope will be amazing shots. My desire for those beautiful photos wrestle with my fear of heights and my claustrophobia of climbing a narrow, twisting stairwell. How I’d just prefer to stay in the safety and comfort of my cozy hotel room instead of putting myself “out there”!
As we come to the close of another Christmas season, the story of baby Jesus, replete with shepherds, a manger, and Magi, is quite familiar. Perhaps lesser known is that after the Magi (or Three Kings or Wisemen) lay their gifts at Jesus’ feet and make their way back home, the Holy Family flees to Egypt. In a dream, God tells Joseph to take Mary and Jesus into Egypt to protect Jesus against Herod’s rampage to kill Him. Without hesitation, Joseph obeys, moving his family to safety in Egypt.
Egypt figures into another story, this one set hundreds of years before Joseph flees with his family. Just over a month after God frees the Israelites from Pharaoh in their dramatic escape through the parted walls of the Red Sea, they complain to Moses about their circumstances, stating they were better off as slaves in Egypt. They actually desire the familiarity of slavery to the new adventure God has for them as they travel to the Promised Land. They had clearly forgotten the hardships of slavery when they lived in Egypt. (See Exodus 16:1-3) Was it really better under the yoke of slavery in Egypt or was the past, being familiar, more comfortable than experiencing the unpredictability of their new wilderness life?
In both of these biblical accounts, Egypt is seen as a place of safety. In the flight to Egypt story, Egypt is a safe haven for protection against a real threat to Jesus’ life. In the second story, Egypt is viewed as a retreat from reality, an escape from fears of the future.
It is all too easy for me to slip back into the comfort of the familiar. Traveling forces me to look ahead to new adventures instead of looking back to comfort and convenience. In that moment in Zürich, I thank the Lord for His presence and begin the climb up the hundreds of stairs to the top, praying I will not meet anyone coming down because the stairwell is very narrow. Once at the top, stepping out of my comfort zone is rewarded by gorgeous views of river and rooftops, buildings and boats. I am not disappointed. My desire for the shots is greater than my fear of the stairs. But it takes stepping out (and in this case, up) to put my fear behind me, to leave the safety of the ground, and to climb to the top.
As we stand on the brink of a new year, are we ready for the adventures God has for us this year? Or are we wishing we were back in “Egypt”, in a familiar, comfortable, and safe place? In this new year, what has you worried or fearful? Is it starting a new job or ministry or trying something else new? Or is it leaving behind an unhealthy pattern of behavior or even an unhealthy relationship? God goes with you wherever you go. Step out in faith into the unfamiliar, leaving the ties to comfort behind. Boldly stride into the new adventure God has planned for you. The view from the top will amaze you!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the courage and strength to move forward into a new year, into the unknown. May I not stay stuck in comfort and convenience and miss the abundant life You have promised to those who follow You. Make Your presence known to me as I step out in faith. Amen.
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Text and photographs copyright © 2019 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Zürich, Switzerland, as seen from the tower of Grossmünster Church.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
The towers of Grossmünster Church, Zürich, Switzerland:
The steeples tower over the old town just beside the river that flows peacefully through the city. I am feeling anything but peaceful. Anxiety is in full force as I contemplate my next move. As a photographer, I often find myself in situations that are way outside of my comfort zone. In Zürich, Switzerland, there is a 12th century church called the Grossmünster. Historically significant, this church was the site of the beginnings of the Reformation in Switzerland. Aesthetically, its otherwise plain interior contains beautiful stained-glass windows created by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti. The church’s tall twin towers are one of Zürich’s most notable landmarks. Inside one of the two towers, there are narrow stairs leading up to the top. Set in the picturesque Old Town and overlooking both the town and the River Limmat, this tower perhaps affords one of the best views of Zürich. Standing in front of the church, I know I have to climb the stairs in that tower in order to have what I hope will be amazing shots. My desire for those beautiful photos wrestle with my fear of heights and my claustrophobia of climbing a narrow, twisting stairwell. How I’d just prefer to stay in the safety and comfort of my cozy hotel room instead of putting myself “out there”!
As we come to the close of another Christmas season, the story of baby Jesus, replete with shepherds, a manger, and Magi, is quite familiar. Perhaps lesser known is that after the Magi (or Three Kings or Wisemen) lay their gifts at Jesus’ feet and make their way back home, the Holy Family flees to Egypt. In a dream, God tells Joseph to take Mary and Jesus into Egypt to protect Jesus against Herod’s rampage to kill Him. Without hesitation, Joseph obeys, moving his family to safety in Egypt.
Egypt figures into another story, this one set hundreds of years before Joseph flees with his family. Just over a month after God frees the Israelites from Pharaoh in their dramatic escape through the parted walls of the Red Sea, they complain to Moses about their circumstances, stating they were better off as slaves in Egypt. They actually desire the familiarity of slavery to the new adventure God has for them as they travel to the Promised Land. They had clearly forgotten the hardships of slavery when they lived in Egypt. (See Exodus 16:1-3) Was it really better under the yoke of slavery in Egypt or was the past, being familiar, more comfortable than experiencing the unpredictability of their new wilderness life?
In both of these biblical accounts, Egypt is seen as a place of safety. In the flight to Egypt story, Egypt is a safe haven for protection against a real threat to Jesus’ life. In the second story, Egypt is viewed as a retreat from reality, an escape from fears of the future.
It is all too easy for me to slip back into the comfort of the familiar. Traveling forces me to look ahead to new adventures instead of looking back to comfort and convenience. In that moment in Zürich, I thank the Lord for His presence and begin the climb up the hundreds of stairs to the top, praying I will not meet anyone coming down because the stairwell is very narrow. Once at the top, stepping out of my comfort zone is rewarded by gorgeous views of river and rooftops, buildings and boats. I am not disappointed. My desire for the shots is greater than my fear of the stairs. But it takes stepping out (and in this case, up) to put my fear behind me, to leave the safety of the ground, and to climb to the top.
As we stand on the brink of a new year, are we ready for the adventures God has for us this year? Or are we wishing we were back in “Egypt”, in a familiar, comfortable, and safe place? In this new year, what has you worried or fearful? Is it starting a new job or ministry or trying something else new? Or is it leaving behind an unhealthy pattern of behavior or even an unhealthy relationship? God goes with you wherever you go. Step out in faith into the unfamiliar, leaving the ties to comfort behind. Boldly stride into the new adventure God has planned for you. The view from the top will amaze you!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the courage and strength to move forward into a new year, into the unknown. May I not stay stuck in comfort and convenience and miss the abundant life You have promised to those who follow You. Make Your presence known to me as I step out in faith. Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photographs copyright © 2019 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Zürich, Switzerland, as seen from the tower of Grossmünster Church.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
The towers of Grossmünster Church, Zürich, Switzerland:
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