For most of my life I have compartmentalized the different aspects of my life. God and church were in one corner and art and creativity were in another corner. Family and friends in still another corner. This seemed to work OK for me. The only problem was a nagging question…why did I find so much joy in creativity and not so much in my walk with the Lord? The answer may be in Romans.
“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life--and place it before God as an offering." Romans 12:1 (The Message)
The problem, or at least part of the problem, was the separation. Why did I, like so many others, find it difficult if not impossible to live out Romans 12:1? The answer may be in a form of legalism that made us feel that if we were not on the mission field or on staff at a church, then we were somehow “less-than”. Growing up in the 70’s, I often felt like a “back-slider”, a guilt inducing name that so many churches gave to those who did not adhere to their prescribed list of do’s and don’ts. The bar was set so high that only those called to the mission field or full time Christian service could reach that bar. The rest of us were left to feel guilty about falling short. The end result was worship and service motivated by guilt and not motivated by love and thankfulness for what God has given us in His son.
Over time I gradually began to hear bits and pieces of the truth, and I would feel god's love and acceptance. Sometimes the love and thankfulness would well up in me and overflow. Then the guilt would show up again. It was a roller coaster. I am not trying to say that there is not a place for guilt. Guilt is appropriate in many situations. However, a Christian walk totally motivated by guilt is a sad one! Sad for the Christian and sad for the Lord.
As Christ followers we are called to worship and serve. If we are to live a life for Christ out of love and thankfulness, we must explore the ways we currently live out our Christian Faith and how our past perceptions of how that should look can limit us. Our definition of “spiritual” activity and growth may need to change.
Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us to do." Let yourself settle in to that thought for a minute.
We are God’s handiwork…we are His project. I am His project!
I love the following quote from John Ortberg, pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. “God is more concerned with your reaching your full potential than you are. And he is guiding that process all the time. And he has many tools. And he is not in a hurry. And he will never give up.”
Wow! I can relax and let God be in control of my spiritual progress! Knowing that helps me to feel that I don't have to perform, but I want to! And HE can be in charge of my progress! I just have to show up and love him!
So, connect the dots. Let go and let your “God and church” life, your “art and creativity” life, your “family and friends life…all become one. Let go and become God’s project and find the freedom to make your art as a true form of worship.
Connecting Faith with Art....blurring the line between the sacred and the secular.