Creativity
This picture caught my attention this week.
Quickly, I was reminded of my desire to be an artist, or a writer. (I have this book-idea in the back of my mind.) I suspect my talents lie more in writing than in being a visual artist. At the same time, I do have a passion for art. When I expressed this to a friend, I was reminded of my artistic expressions in cake-decorating. (Sorry... no pictures!)
When Bishop Anna gave her first "Charge to Synod", she reminded us of her confidence in the Church, saying, “The future is not going to look like the past, and that the future is bright.”
One of the gifts of creativity is "looking to the future."
Do we see our glass half-empty or half-full? (I tend to be the “half full” type of person.) When we examine the history of Christianity, and the Anglican Church, we will see progress over the years affirmed through creativity.
Creativity requires us to search deeply within...discovering the thoughtful gifts God has given us.
One person observed "creativity is spiritual", recognizing how God is part and parcel of our everyday; understanding what is meant by the comment "you have a great gift." Often, we do not recognize our creativity as being a gift, less often a special gift from God.
A question arises: “How do we stimulate creativity in the life of a parish?”
This creativity begins on the individual level, which then expands to the church corporate. It will only begin if we are open to searching for, and recognizing, opportunities.
It is like the "Children’s Corner" at the back of our church.
On more than one occasion, a child has presented me with a picture at the end of the service. Often, that picture has a relationship to space, and the observation of some part of the worship service.
Where do we start?
First, we need to recognize that in all we do—preach; teach; paint; play; build; and plan to bring order, goodness, and beauty to life—is our fulfillment of being created in the image of God.
What (then) does it mean to be Christian? I believe, it means to be open to new expressions of worship.
Prior to COVID, how many of us ever thought we would become comfortable with recording church services; holding virtual meetings; praying via computer screen; teaching "on-line" classes or doing 'on-line' Bible/book study?
But we have.
Bishop Anna is so correct.
“The future is not going to look like the past and that the future is bright":
if we continue to challenge ourselves to explore and use our gifts.
Maybe it's not with a set of paints, brushes, pencils, and paper…but…
Take time to consider your gifts.
Blessings,
Archdeacon Brian+
