tangible ethereal blessings

my thoughts travel toward you at the speed of light

unimpeded by wind, rain, forest or mountain

stretching over the distance effortlessly

gliding on nothing but the force of my will

they bring you hopes of well being

wishes of joy and thoughts of God's peace

did you feel them

did you see them

did you hear them

no

are these ethereal blessings of any value

i offer something a bit more tangible

bits and bytes of binary code

borne on currents of electrons

meaningless save for the intent behind them

less concrete than putting ink to paper

voices across air and wire are a poor substitute

for a smile, a laugh, an embrace

physical presence can bring tactile pleasures

but fulfillment is spirit touching spirit

Perhaps tangible things are not so real and lasting as we imagine and that which we call ethereal is the greater reality and eternal. Perhaps the greatest of all that we do and create is only a shadow of what really is – a chasing of the wind – a child with a toddler's vocabulary trying to describe the Grand Canyon to a blind man – an imperfect physical attempt at expressing the unfathomable, spiritual things that we are incapable of understanding, much less explaining or creating.

Changing The World Through Art?

A Christian Framework For Creativity

Far be it from me to be the heartless old salt who steals the innocence from all of the wide eyed idealists out there, (funny, but you know there's always a but after a statement like that) but I'm afraid I have some bad news for all you budding artistic types who envision your art changing the world. Of course I am confidant that most of you are intelligent enough that after several years of banging your collective head against the stone wall of human nature you will figure it out for yourselves. But, here I offer you a shortcut to the wisdom it took me years to acquire and etch into my cavernous cranial cavity.

The weaker among you should look away now. For the stouthearted among us, here is the ugly truth.

It is a great fantasy to dream that we will make that ultimate irresistible argument, or that we will produce that work of art so profound that people will gaze upon it, or read it, or listen to it, whichever the case may be, and be forced to acknowledge that there is a God and that His nature is as revealed to us in Holy writ. But, that is all it is – fantasy and dreams.

It may be unrealistic to think that our artistic creations will ever change even one person's heart and mind. Correct me if I'm wrong, but examples of a piece of art causing a conversion or directly impacting the culture at large are pretty rare. “Uncle Tom's Cabin” comes to mind. But, other than the once in a generation anomaly, art pretty much is preaching to the choir. I believe it is a false hope to think that because my creativity reaches a certain level that people will all of the sudden 'see the light'.

I see two ways that lives are actually changed. In fact there is only one way, through the work of the Holy Spirit, but He usually uses one of two means, or more likely, a combination of the two - the preaching of the Word of God and the observation of a well lived Christian life.

Can God use our artistry to nudge, cultivate, water, nourish and so forth? Absolutely. Should our art reflect the true nature of God and His creation? Absolutely. Can our art be salt and light and provide an alternative to the endless onslaught of Godless art. Absolutely. Can the collective body of our God honoring art help foster a more Godly perspective in this world's collective consciousness? Perhaps. At least that is a more reasonable expectation than instant conversion or cultural shift because of a single piece of art.

I do not propagate these harsh truths to discourage any one from pursuing their artistic passion. On the contrary, I am more excited than ever about what the future holds for me regarding my creativity. Unfettered from the codependent need to save anyone or to change the world, I have the freedom to simply follow my God given creative urges wherever He leads me and leave the job of changing people to their Creator.

Enjoy your creativity. Revel in it. Treasure it as the gift of God that it is. Do it as unto The Lord. Do it with all of your heart, mind and strength, but keep it in proper perspective.

As for me, I do not create with the thought of nor the purpose of impacting anyone. I create because I am a creation of a creative being who created me in His creative image. I am compelled to create because it is in my nature. I am compelled to create Godly art because I have chosen to allow His nature to rule my nature. And, if that is indeed the case, then hopefully my creative expression will honor Him and bear good fruit.

Out Of My Anguish I Speak

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Out of our best and worst experiences are born our most honest expressions - art that moves others to think and to feel. And, today it is anguish that stirs my creative juices. So, as the Psalmists of old, I offer this lament.

I love you as much as it is possible for me to love. I try to be everything that a husband/father/friend (pick whichever applies) should be. What have I gotten in return but constant sorrow. Pain beyond my ability to feel. A crushed and broken spirit.

Loss after loss after loss. One by one, those I love turn their backs on me. Is there something wrong with me? Am I that unloveable? Is it my lot in life to eventually die unloved and alone? Will You, oh Lord, also eventually turn your countenance from me? Am I one of the ignoble vessels You created? Bound for no glory and no special purpose? To be tossed aside and broken on the stony ground after some brief, mundane use?

(At this point the tiny vessel rises up and demands some explanation from the potter. The potter looks up from his work briefly, a slightly amused look on his face, then returns to his work)

I have no more strength. No more tears left to cry. I give up. I surrender.

And that is where He comes to meet me. After all of my anger and hurt are finally poured out and spent, I turn my eyes up toward Heaven and surrender. I lean on my staff and worship. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of The Lord.

(Now the potter once again turns his attention to the tiny vessel and carefully inscribes his mark on the bottom of it. He purses his lips and a faint grin of satisfaction is clearly visible on his face as he considers his creation and thinks about all the work that he has put into it ... and all of the work yet to be done.)