Above and Below

Externsteine in Teutoburg Forest, Germany

This collection of rock formations, located in Central Germany, is known as the Externsteine. Geology dates it back 100 million years. Archaeology has determined humans began to make use of it around 10,000 BC. Apparently, it was just sitting around doing very little prior to that date. It does look like the perfect place for pterodactyls to have their nests, though, so it probably spent most of its history protecting baby pterodactyls and other baby birds.

Archaeologists have found arrowheads and blades beneath one of the stones, as well as fire sites. Early nomadic humans probably used the place as a temporary shelter. Obviously, the pterodactyls were gone by then. Or maybe not. Maybe humans domesticated pterodactyls and flew around on them. Maybe that’s the source for tales of dragons. Or maybe I’ve watched too many science fiction movies.

Legends have risen about this location. The main story is that pagan Saxons worshipped here and they built a large pillar to honor their gods. This pillar is called an Irmunsul, and many of these were built throughout the lands occupied by early Germanic tribes. Charlemagne is reported to have destroyed a great Irmunsul during the Saxon Wars. Scholars speculate that Externsteine may have been the location.

In any case, the Extersteine eventually became a Christian hermitage and later a chapel. Small rooms were carved into the base of the rocks. Believers could seek solitude in the quiet darkness of the rocks or at the top of the tors. The Christian faith of the Medieval period had a strong emphasis on separation from the everyday world. It would be wise for us to recapture that emphasis in our busy world. We need silence and solitude. We need to get away now and then. The Christians at Extersteine went above the world or below the world to accomplish that. We have so many more options today. But it starts with the decision to do it by making it a priority.

The Better to See You With

This big-eyed figurine was discovered in the ancient ruin of Tell Brak in Syria. Actually, thousands of these figurines were found in a single building in Tell Brak. That building is now called, not surprisingly, the Eye Temple. So what’s the deal with the big eyes? It depends on the figurine.

Some of these figurines represent worshippers. The big eyes demonstrate the proper attitude of worshippers: attentiveness to the gods. These figurines come in a variety of sizes and styles and managed to spread across the whole Mediterranean via trade. I think of them as ancient Barbie dolls. Or maybe Beanie Babies. No. If you picture them with colored hair, they look like troll dolls!

Okay. Maybe not.

There’s another variation of these statuettes. Some of them actually represent ancient Mesopotamian gods. The big eyes suggest that the god is always watching you, and his or her eyes are big enough to see you no matter where you are. Having one of these things on display in your home was a reminder of that.

One way or another, those figurines are a reminder. They remind us that we should always try to focus on God. When we do that, the world and our personal situations can make sense. They also remind us that God is both omniscient and omnipresent. He is everywhere we are. He knows everything that’s going on. We have no secrets from God, although we sometimes act like we’re successfully hiding our bad behavior from Him. We’re not. God has big eyes.