Hampton's Garage

"James Hampton's entire artistic output is this single work which he called The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly. Hampton worked for more than fourteen years on his masterwork in a rented garage, transforming its drab interior into a heavenly vision, as he prepared for the return of Christ to earth...

Hampton's full creation consists of 180 components... Massive wings, suggesting angels, sprout from most components; framed tablets line the walls, and crowns and other complex foil decorations fill every available space of the assemblage. The entire complex was originally placed on a three-foot tall platform set stage like against the rear wall of his garage.

The Throne and all of its associated components are made from discarded materials and found objects consisting of old furniture, wooden planks and supports, cardboard cutouts, scraps of insulation board, discarded light bulbs, jelly glasses, hollow cardboard cylinders, Kraft paper, desk blotters, mirror fragments and electrical cables and a variety of other "found objects," all scavenged from second-hand shops, the streets, or the federal office buildings in which he worked. To complete each element, Hampton used shimmering metallic foils and brilliant purple paper (now faded to tan) to evoke spiritual awe and splendor. Hampton's symbolism extended even to his choice of materials such as light bulbs, which represent God as the light of the world."

I saw Hampton's Garage for the first time a few weeks ago. His entire work is in the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery waiting to be displayed as it was first arranged 40 years ago. What this brief summary of the garage doesn't mention, is Hampton never once —in fourteen years— told anyone what he was working on. It was only after his death all of this was discovered. 

Can you imagine being the first one to see it? Talk about surprise... It's obvious Hampton was passionate about His project. In another article, they mention the fact that he had several dozen notebooks written in code. This code has yet to be broken. One thing they know for sure is the garage was set up for the return of Christ.
 It all sounds a little crazy. However, I think we're inclined to overlook a little crazy in Hampton's case. We say 'At least he wasn't one of those doomsday prophets preaching destruction on a street corner.' Rather, the message seems to be personal rather than public. Hampton's garage speaks to his personal desire for salvation; to his longing for the return of Christ. I think my favorite part of Hampton's work is the fact that it was in his garage. You've got to admire a guy who says, "Sure the Messiah's coming back! When he does, he's coming straight to my garage!'

 In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus tells the disciples, "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect..." (Matthew 24:44). The funny part is the Son of Man was speaking these words to them. Jesus had arrived and yet he was announcing he had not yet come. 

Jesus continually said these kinds of things throughout his ministry. His stories point to the kingdom of God being now and not yet. He spoke about the kingdom as incoming. Author Peter Rollins has explained it this way: You begin dating someone and everything is new. You learn about their life and their passions. They are a finite person, but as you get to know them you realize they're like a window into a world of depth and possibilites. Their soul opens up like a vacuum. Even when you're with them you miss them, because there is still so much to be understood. Your life together becomes an ongoing exploration of the person you love. 
In seminary we might refer to this as eschatological inbreakings. Eschatology, dealing with "end things," and hope of the second coming. 'Inbreakings' are evidence of heaven temporarily invading earth; because we have to acknowledge how these 'end' things have all sorts of implications for the present. Christianity — contrary to what our critics say—  is not an escapist religion. Jesus did not come to tell us everything would be ok someday in the future / after death. Jesus came to declare healing and restoration NOW. He said the Kingdom of God is at hand. 

But where does God dwell in the world? The writer of first Corinthians says,"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body..." Again in Roman's the author states,"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." The truth is Christ is made manifest through the Spirit which dwells inside each of us. Our hearts are like Hampton's humble garage-sanctuary. 

The incarnation speaks to the grand irony of an all powerful God choosing to be born in a common, unextraordinary space. As a post-incarnation community, we should know to search for God in the mundane places of everyday life. Could Hampton have known his aluminum tabernacle was only a shadow of the holy spirit already living in him? Perhaps we need a project like Hampton's garage — a tangible process of making a place for the kingdom to become manifest in the world. 
Each time I've returned to the museum to contemplate Hampton's work, I'm reminded of the story in which Jacob dreams of a heavenly ladder with angles going up and down. "Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, 'God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!' He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.' Jacob was up first thing in the morning. He took the stone he had used for his pillow and stood it up as a memorial pillar..." (Gen 28:10-18a) When Jacob encounters God he sets up a "pillar" to mark the location as a significant moment of revelation. I can't claim to know what what happened to Hampton which inspired him to spend 14 years working in his garage. But clearly something powerful took place in Hampton's life. God became manifest to Hampton, and that impact point laid the foundation for his project. 
So now, until that glorious day when Christ returns, may you join me in preparing for all the ways heaven is invading earth. May you expect Jesus to show up in the ordinary garage of your heart. May you prepare a place for him using what gifts and graces God has given you. And may you never run out of people to tell about it.