"Waiting" and "Access" - 6 Wednesdays in Lent

The Worship Arts Painting Team at St. Andrews Church in Mt. Pleasant was invited to paint at all 6 Wednesday evening services during Lent, and several of us are participating. The theme for this year's Worship Arts Lenten series is "Waiting"- specifically "waiting in the Presence of God" in the service, and as I prepared for the first Wednesday of the series, the word "access" kept flowing through my thoughts.  I decided to work with the theme of "access" for the series, using the visuals of doors, windows, etc. that are symbolic of the openings and opportunities that present themselves in our lives - times where a response from us is called for - do we cross that threshold or does fear, insecurity or timidity cause us to turn and walk away?

The Door of Humble Access

11" x 14"

Acrylic

As I went looking for a visual resource to use, I came across a photograph I had taken 6 years ago, and I immediately knew that this was the door to start with.  It's known as the "door (or gate) of humble access" - it's the entrance that pilgrims use to enter the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem - a low door (replacing a larger, prior opening) to keep invaders from riding their horses into the sanctuary and desecrating the holy place.   The door is so low that I even have to bend to enter (and I'm only about 5' tall).  The door of humble access - it's the right place to begin the journey.