We’ve been in Cologne for awhile now and have gotten a little bit of a fe
el for the city. The history of this city is weighty and deep. The center of the city is the “Dom” or Cathedral that looms large and dark over you as you exit the underground station. Don’t be confused though because “Dom” is just the German word for cathedral and you wont see an actual “dome”. The Cathedral itself is humbling. The facade is one of the largest in the world in terms of square meters because of its double spires and according to Wikipedia “It is renowned as a monument of Christianity, of German Catholicism in particular, of Gothic architecture, and of the faith and perseverance of the people of the city in which it stands. It is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary.” It took over 600 years to complete the massive project (with interruptions) beginning in 1248 and lasting until 1880. Thinking of the building that was completed in my home church shortly before I left I have to laugh and wonder how many people wanted to chair THAT building project?
el for the city. The history of this city is weighty and deep. The center of the city is the “Dom” or Cathedral that looms large and dark over you as you exit the underground station. Don’t be confused though because “Dom” is just the German word for cathedral and you wont see an actual “dome”. The Cathedral itself is humbling. The facade is one of the largest in the world in terms of square meters because of its double spires and according to Wikipedia “It is renowned as a monument of Christianity, of German Catholicism in particular, of Gothic architecture, and of the faith and perseverance of the people of the city in which it stands. It is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary.” It took over 600 years to complete the massive project (with interruptions) beginning in 1248 and lasting until 1880. Thinking of the building that was completed in my home church shortly before I left I have to laugh and wonder how many people wanted to chair THAT building project? Carly and I spent some time just sitting in the Cathedral on our Sabbath day last Friday. We watched the tourists come in with their cameras and pose for photos in Cologne’s most famous landmark. No one comes to Cologne and misses the “Dom”. Even businessmen that are probably just jetting in and out of the city will roll their carry-on sized suitcases through the cathedral so they don’t miss out on seeing it. Carly and I sat quietly in the pews letting our minds wander and pray despite the muffled chaos around us.
“God, what do you think of all of this?” I asked. “What does it mean to keep holy places holy?” I can’t help but be a little distracted as I see elaborate displays of jewelry that have been given as sacrifices to the Virgin Mary or gaze down the center of the Cathedral and see the relics of the remains of the three kings who came to worship baby Jesus encased in a gilded chest. I can’t seem to wrap my mind around standing here and worshiping God when just a few months ago I was having church on a dirt floor in Kenya or in the sand in Tanzania under a palm tree. Part of me says that if the presence of God is the only thing that makes things holy then why don’t we all have church outside in the dirt? Why do we labor at all on things like buildings that will fade away or turn black from pollution? But then I know there is something to this, too. There is something remarkable about a symbol of faith that takes centuries to build and is maintained by those that find significant value in its history and what it offers those in the present. What about all those men and women that gave money, time and their physical labor to see this cathedral completed? They believed they were laboring for somethin
g didn’t they? Even if it was penance for their sins.
g didn’t they? Even if it was penance for their sins. So what is it I am laboring for? Am I working to build the church? Maybe not a cathedral like that but I do desire to give my life to the body of Christ. I want to be caught up in something bigger than myself and labor knowing that what I am doing will last for eternity. I think I can do that. I think that dream is within my grasp if I choose to stick with it and commit myself to it fully. I have been inspired by so many of my brothers and sisters on the World Race who are already so devoted to bringing Kindom to earth. We may be young and a little foolish but crazy dreams start with crazy people. I bet the guy who suggested building the largest cathedral in the world in Cologne got a few laughs like Noah did when he started cutting down those trees to build that silly ark when no one had even seen it rain. I believe God is asking us today to join Him in dreaming for this earth some big, crazy dreams. Will you join us?
