In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Everything we see, know and experience is an outcome of the created acts of God. Creativity is at the center of life itself. When God created people he proclaimed, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves."
To be made in the image of God is a high calling that enables us to have relationship with God. It also deposits within us both an ability and a desire for creativity. To create simply means to bring into existence. God has invested into our souls the ability to bring things into existence which are first 'seen' within our minds and hearts. The ability to imagine and then bring the unseen into the realm of reality is a treasure of immense magnitude. It's a reflection of the deepest values of being human.
As the Pastor of a newly formed church known as All Nations Community Church, I am in the dreaming and creative phase of church development. Being a part of a church family of immense diversity has brought me face to face with the desire to create something that reflects God's beauty and glory. Just being around people from all over the world you can sense the depth of God's creative glory in times of prayer in various languages and song. But there is something deeper.
There is a story of stories that carries God's love around the globe. Story is the narrative that God so loved the world that he both created, redeemed and called us to himself forever. It's such an intense drama of unfolding love that the arts of writing, drawing, drama and music are necessary to carry the full weight of his glory. In history, we can see the creative power of the soul unleashed on the Sistine chapel ceiling. We listen transfixed to the powerful music of Handel's Messiah. We read the amazing writing of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy unveiling the battle of good versus evil. And yet deep inside we know that there is more creativity yet to be unleashed into the earth.
I believe God is wanting to call artists back home to himself. There is sadly a huge gulf between the modern art world and the story of stories that art is meant to proclaim. We need a new renaissance to awaken our world to the beauty of God. I am actively praying and believing God that All Nations Community Church will be an oasis for artists to develop and share their creative talents with the world around them. Every community of believers has a varied deposit of grace held within them. It's a mosaic of varied artistry that if called upon will speak in agreement with the words of scripture that God exists.....and he is love.
What if artists felt the freedom to be loved and honored within the family of God for who they are as creative talent? I believe that art can become a viable means of communicating grace in forms that we often ignore and deny. The spoken word of scripture is the foundation stone of revelation. The truth of God's word informs and guides all forms of creative release.
At present I am encouraging our worship team to write and perform original music. I believe God is writing a unique story of love and grace in our midst. But I believe God wants to do so much more in our midst in the area of creativity. I believe we will see new books and plays written. I believe we will see a literal community of artists call All Nations Community Church their spiritual home. I believe we will see paintings, sculpture and other forms of art being created to communicate the message of God's love for the nations.
The most fundamental of revelations about God are also the most profound. God is big and we are small. And yet even in our smallness we remain a reflector of God's magnificence. By writing this I am proclaiming something that is not yet.... as though it will be..... with a few words I am calling something the future into existence......faith. The deposit of God in my soul enables me to dream.... to believe....to hope .... and to love. And with that dream there remains a yet unknown cast of characters.... of artists who will join me in this calling to create. Perhaps you are reading this and searching for a spiritual family who will embrace who you are..... in your talents, dreams, desires and yes even in your weakness and brokenness. I have good news, welcome home. Come and be a part of the mosaic of life we call All Nations Community Church.
www.allnationsmobile.org
Jim
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