To build a monument

a reflection on the famous stones of remembrance

Im hanging out in Berlin right now for part of the summer to visit my sister. I love this city, it is truly beautiful and lights up even more in summer. Something unique about Berlin is the amount of monuments that are scattered around the city streets. Germany’s history is complicated and twisted, and part of the way it is remembered in everyday life here in Berlin is through monuments - whether it be statues, museums, or graffiti. Whichever form, they allow people walking by to bring to mind what had occurred in the spot they are in. Essentially, it is to call attention and immortalize historical events. It doesn't matter if that person was there or not, they are now aware and a part of the story. And even more, as I grow older, I’ve accept more and more that moments are fleeting and memories can fade quickly, but sometimes its not about what happened but how it was remembered. That is the power these monuments have - in a way, they can reshape perspective, especially for people who did not live through the event. And they can serve as a beacon of hope or overcoming of an event of turmoil. Humans are quick to forget things, and so monuments have been a practice since the beginning of civilizations to remind current and future generations what transpired.

I read a few months ago the book of Joshua. It has one of my favorite stores in the Old Testament about the miracle of the Israelites crossing the Jordan river. They have been wandering in the desert for 40 years, and finally Joshua was leading them into the promise land, but the Jordan River was blocking the way. Nevertheless, they kept marching through the river, and once the Ark of the Covenant reached the waters, it moved aside, and the Israelites were able to cross into the promised land. Then God instructed the Israelites to build a statue of 12 stones balancing on top of each other. God asked them of this so they remember the miracle that happened, and the journey they went through to get to the point they are at. He asked them to build this not only for the sake of their generation that witnessed this, but also to fortell this to future generations.

As I get older, I understand that the only thing guaranteed in this life are trials and tribulations. How precious it is to have monuments of hope to hold on to, to cherish when hard times come. Even more, this hope is something that can be transferred and shared when people around you are passing through the high and rough waters of life.

When I read this passage in Joshua, I realized how easy it is to forget the great, and remember the sorrow - and the power of monuments. I realize they serve as a constant visual reminder of miracles and God’s faithfulness. I started in my journal a section called “monuments.” Im not gonna lie, its not all filled out yet, but the purpose is to immortalize monumental moments in my life that fill me with hope. A situation where something felt impossible but God made it possible. It will act, hopefully, like a roof when it rains or a shelter from the storm - being covered by God’s fulfilled promises.

In all, I have a new appreciation for monuments that I see, and look forward to creating more myself. If not for myself, but for my friends, family and community. I implore you to start to build out your own monuments, and pray it serves as a reservoir of hope.