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Small and insignificant? Christopher Ison‘s photo of a lighthouse standing against storm Eunice in the UK won first place in a 2022 Weather Photographer of the Year Competition. It’s an awesome and inspiring photo, however the reason I’m reposting it is because of the judges commentary … the power of nature is, “reminding us how small and insignificant we are as it conveys the dramatic movement and force of sea together with the resistance offered by a man-made building.”
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We often see these words lazily paired together, “small and insignificant,” but just because something is small (and we ARE so so very small) doesn’t necessarily mean that it is insignificant.
Referring back to the photo: this lighthouse SURVIVED that wave? How amazing is that? Can you imagine being in the top of that lighthouse when that wave was approaching? How grateful you might feel for the engineers and builders that made it strong enough to preserve your life?
Even if this lighthouse were destroyed, isn’t it significant that it has likely served to save the lives of thousands of sailors over it’s lifetime? Living in awe of the majesty and power of nature doesn’t negate the significance of humankind. Any object, person or creature that is worthy of note has no power to cancel out the worthiness of something else.
Whether by natural selection (as my atheist friends believe), or God given spirit (as I, and many others, do), we’re likely the only creatures on earth to ponder the significance of things. We’ve been given the gift to question our place in nature and the observable universe. How significant is that?
A scripture in my faith tradition says, “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” I believe it. I’ve seen that working in my life. A piece of music doesn’t write itself, it comes together one little penciled note at a time. Individual tones might not be very significant on their own, but once paired with word, rhythm, and harmony, they can stand together as something whole and powerful. I’ve been honored a couple of times to have people tell me that my music changed their life. I feel grateful for that opportunity and hope to continue.
Our day to day is like that, brick by brick, building lighthouses to bless others in the storm.
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