The Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
/For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48: 14
Although the destination has a long history before the 18th century, the Summer Palace in Beijing, China was primarily the work of Qianlong Emperor (1735-1796) of the Qing Dynasty. The Palace grounds contain a series of picturesque waterways, gardens, temples, pavilions, and bridges that surround a large lake that is more than a square mile in size. The Palace visitors can make their way around the vast and beautiful area by foot or by catching a ride on of the many boats that cross the lake. From the water’s edge, one can see several pagoda’s and bridges around the grounds. When in season, they enjoy the many beautiful Lotus flowers patches growing in the water. In 1998, UNESCO added the site onto its list of World Heritage Sites. It is an amazing place.
Along the north edge of the water, just a few steps from a non-operational boat wholly made of marble, there is a long-covered walkway that extends over 2200 feet. It is appropriately called the “Long Corridor.” I walked this unique corridor several years ago, and as I sit and write this blog, I am about to embark on it again as I head towards the exit of the Palace grounds. In 2007, my family enjoyed traversing the length from end to end. At that time, it had just been restored in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics to be held in Beijing the following year. The paint is not as bright today as it was then, but it is still very colorful and joy to experience.
As it is with all the structures at the Summer Palace grounds, the amount of effort to initially construct, and restore the corridor is impressive. The wooden structure is about 8 feet in wide with posts about every 10 feet in its length. There are no walls but has a short rail running its length where many visitors sit to rest. The path has a few turns and curves on the way and incorporates a few gathering places that resemble shorter pagodas. Underneath the roof, the covered area is entirely hand-painted. In a manner that would be far beyond the scope of an HGTV network program, each side of the wooden beams and braces that span across the width of the 8-foot corridor and those that run its half-mile length have different paintings on them. It is a museum of murals. Each painting is different from another, then another, and then another for the entire length, with the only constant being the mostly blue and aqua-green background. It is beautifully special.
It reminds me of the long colorful journey we have in life and the enormous effort that God puts forth uniquely for us. He guides us and protects us. He shapes us. And more! He gives our lives color like no other painter. Our journey may take a turn or two, and there will be needed moments of rest, but God is an ever-present anchor for our souls and never-wavering source of joy and strength. The Long Corridor is shared with thousands each day, and you have so much to share with others too.
It’s a long walk. If I get tired, I may need a rest, but I will need to keep going. If I quit too soon, I will miss out on more colorful beams, and I will fall short of my destination.
Don’t give up on your long journey or your faith. Don’t give up on the notion of God having plans for you. Don’t settle for less. Keep moving forward. You have so much to give and to achieve. Choose to make someone’s day brighter. Make a phone call to a friend or bring flowers to your wife. Complement your boss or thank your professor, and maybe it’s time to invite them to church with you. Persevere in your seemingly-unattainable achievement that may seem more like a stumbling block now. If you need a pause or a rest, do so to progress forward. The world needs you. Keep walking and enjoy the colors.
