For centuries—long before personal computers—the church called images of faith “icons.” Icons are small pieces of art created in prayer to help Christians pray and to live faithfully and prayerfully.

You are most likely to see icons in Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox places. But in my daughter Susannah’s room hangs an icon of St. Susanna. It’s a single image—strange, highly stylized—that evokes the whole story of one of the women who discovered Jesus’ empty tomb. It invites a living life inspired by this faithful woman.

Notice the icons—the images of faith—in the scripture in worship this week. There are images of who God is, images of love and grace, images of what faith looks like, and stories that are like images. See if you can imagine what an icon of these biblical images could look like. Carry it with you. Return to it in prayer.

The story of Elijah meeting God on the mountain is an image of faith that caught worship planners’ eyes. This story inspired the call to worship. Pastor Clark wrote it, and even he admits it’s strange. He hopes, like an icon, it’s also strangely compelling, inviting faith.

If that one doesn’t move you, attend to another of the images of Faith. There are plenty.

Thanks be to God.

Pastor Clark Olson-Smith