Hi, welcome to Redeem the Commute. I’m Ryan, your host for the daily challenges. This week’s topic is part of our series called Jesus Is… where we’re trying to learn about the identity of Jesus, through studying some key stories in the Bible.

Our daily challenges are meant to help you explore what it means to follow Jesus, even if you don’t have a lot of time. We have a rhythm that keeps us in sync, even if we’re not a community that meets together in person regularly. Every Monday we introduce the week’s idea. Every Tuesday we study it in the Bible. Every Wednesday we see how that challenges and transforms our thinking on the topic. Thursdays we try to apply and live it out. Friday is a day for prayer and reflection before we take a rest on Saturday, and Sundays we meet together with others in community.

Have you ever been to, or seen the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican? If not, let me tell you how beautiful it is:

The chapel is rectangular in shape and measures 40.93 meters long by 13.41 meters wide (the dimensions of the Temple of Solomon, as given in the Old Testament). It is 20.70 meters high and is roofed by a flattened barrel vault, with little side vaults over the 6 centred windows. The pavement (15th century) is in opus alexandrinum (see opus). A transenna in marble by Mino da Fiesole, Andrea Bregno and Giovanni Dalmata divides the chapel into two parts; the wider one, together with the altar, is reserved for proper religious ceremonies and other clergy uses, and the smaller one for the faithful… The wall paintings were executed by Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Rosselli, Luca Signorelli and their respective workshops, which included Pinturicchio, Piero di Cosimo and Bartolomeo della Gatta.

I’m sorry…Have I lost you? I thought that I could describe the Sistine Chapel to you using words, I guess that I was mistaken! Well, fortunately enough they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll show you a picture of the Sistine Chapel.

[After nervous laughter] What? This IS the Sistine Chapel, right? Well, part of it at least. [Pause] I suppose that no words can ever really describe the beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Apparently even a picture can’t really show you what the whole Chapel really looks like. I guess you just have to see it to believe it!

There are many things in life that can’t be described in words alone, or even a picture. A sunset, falling in love, and more. What is it for you?

Question: What experiences have you found difficult to describe in words? What other ways have you shared the experience with others?