Relief: The amazing truth in life–there is a place outside of desperate pain, anxiety, and self-loathing.  “Peace that passes understanding” has become cliché, but we can’t deny the truth of it.

Relief: An architectural term referring to a raised projection of figures or forms on a flat surface. It is an image of a reality caught halfway between 2D and 3D.  In this way, relief is a metaphor for this world (made in the image of the kingdom), and for humanity (made in the image of God).  It is a lot like our perspective, seeing only part of the picture, a reflection.  And at a core level, that’s what a great story, poem, photograph, or painting does; it provides a reflection of what is real. “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (I Cor 13:12).

Relief: The amazing emotion experienced while sinking into a good book that is not only artistically strong, but also rings true to the spirit; the peace that stems from knowing that solid Christian artists will have one more outlet for expression among otherwise slim pickings.