Allow us to begin with some thought provoking words by C. S. Lewis:
"This world is a great sculptor shop. We are the statues, and there is a rumour going round the shop that some of us are some day are going to come to life." Mere Christianity
Looking out over the cold North Dakota landscape, a whopping -10 wind degree temperature, drinking a large cup of hot tea, these words are stuck in my head
"Come to life"
These words are found in the last paragraph of Lewis' first chapter of his fourth book in Mere Christianity. They challenge and inspire me, while at the same time developing within me a deep tension as I wrestle with some tough questions:
What is the element, the spiritual force, the religion that brings humanity to life?
Is the Christian religion a set of moral values instituted by Jesus Christ for people to uphold? Can humanity uphold these moral views?
What does "come to life" mean? How does one find the joy that overflows? Can one even find that joy? If so, how? Or are we just waiting to be breathed into?
Crazy, huh? How reading one chapter of C.S.Lewis in the early morning can provoke inspiration and challenge.
I'm often inspired and challenged by the created works of others; in this case C.S.Lewis' writings.
I ultimately know other people's creations aren't the final work. C.S.Lewis would be a fool if he wrote a book and claimed, "This is as good as it gets."
I could argue that C.S.Lewis is as good as it gets, but that for an other blog post, plus that would be foolish.
Art.
Each person is an Artist.
We've been created with an ability to Create. How cool is that?
With each piece of art, we inspire people. Hopefully our art inspires people in a positive way.
Seeing someone do what they were created to do, inspiring.
We are all artists, we are, truly. Some people think of artists as left-brained people, not so. Yes, left-brained people may be more inclined with drawing or making melodic noises with instruments, but everyone is an Artist. Nature is God's canvas given to us in which we write and create our story.
Side note: I really dig this sticker:
What's your specialty?
The art you are producing, is it making the earth a better place?
Do you "come to life" when you create it?
