Greetings and Salutations!
Hope you are are doing well and made the most of the few days of sunshine that we had this week. It was good to “see” and enjoy a Sunday sermon from Steve this past Sunday.
Midweek Musing
This week I was listening to the audio book, Adorning the Dark, by Andrew Peterson. I have read the book once before already, but I jumped on a sale for his audio book in which he is the narrator and am very glad I did so. It is a nonfiction work in which Peterson discusses his songwriting and writing process. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a creative in the sense that I can sit down and write a poem or paint. However, there is something about Peterson’s style and his take on the writing or creative process that calls out the creative side in me. And I am hoping I can pass along that encouragement to you all.
Now if you’re thinking that you don’t have time or even the desire to sit down and write/paint/create, don’t write this email off just yet.
While listening to Peterson’s book, I’ve been thinking about the power of a story or – to use the popular Christian buzz word – testimony. We see stories throughout the Bible and even in Jesus’ ministry. When he was trying to reveal key concepts or themes of the kingdom that he was ushering in, what did he use? Parables. He used stories that held within their simple structure keys to kingdom living. It’s how he was able to teach large crowds and also connect with his disciples. So there is something powerful about stories. The really good ones stick with you, and you don’t mind hearing them again and again. For me, it’s stories like Little Women, Lord of the Rings, Wingfeather Saga, or Chronicles of Narnia. Those stories have left their mark on my heart and mind.
I realize you and I may not be able to write legendary novels like that. But that does not mean we have no story to tell. We each carry with us a unique experience and perspective on life, faith, and relationships. That’s our story. We all tell our story differently too. For some, it might be through journaling or teaching or even parenting. The art of storytelling has many forms, and it’s one that the church should be well-versed in using. Your voice matters. And that’s true now more than ever. We are each experiencing the trials and hardships of this pandemic in very unique ways. For some, it might include sweet (and not so sweet) moments with your family. For some, it might be lonely, scary, and stressful. I’d encourage you to start reflecting on what your story during these times will look like. Talk it out with a spouse or friend. Get your kids to write something down so they can look back on it and remember. Your story matters and has the ability to help and heal someone else when you have the courage to step up and say, “hey, I’ve been there.”
I will leave you with the closing portion of Andrew Peterson’s book. This part of the book may or may not have had me shedding a few tears as I mowed the lawn.
“I want you, dear reader, to remember that one holy way of mending the world is to sing, to write, to paint, to weave new worlds. Because the seed of your feeble-yet-faithful work fell to the ground, died, and rose again, what Christ has done through you will call forth praise from lonesome travelers long after your name is forgotten. They will know someone lived and loved here.
‘Whoever they were,’ they will think, ‘they belonged to God. It’s clear that they believed the stories of Jesus were true, and it gave them a hope that made their lives beautiful in ways that will unfold for ages…’
This is why the Enemy wants you to think you have no song to write, no story to tell, no painting to paint. He wants to quiet you. So sing. Let the Word by which the Creator made you fill your imagination, guide your pen, lead you from note to note until a melody is strung together like a glimmering constellation in the clear sky. Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor, too, by making worlds and works of beauty that blanket the earth like flowers. Let your homesickness keep you always from spiritual slumber. Remember that it is in the fellowship of saints, of friends and family, that your gift will grow best, and will find its expression.
And until the kingdom comes in its fullness, bend your will to the joyful, tearful telling of its coming.
Write about that.
Write about that, and never stop.”
I look forward to the day when I can hear all of your stories about how this past month has shaped you and your family. Until then, know that you’re an important part of the story of the kingdom that is still being written through the Church.
Resources:
At the beginning of the year I came upon this cool app called Read Scripture. It is produced by Crossway along with the Bible Project. It is a year long reading program that breaks readings up into groups and goes through the Bible chronologically. It also includes videos made by the Bible Project on the books and themes. Here’s a link to their website:
The book that I used was called, Adorning the Dark, by Andrew Peterson. I highly recommend it!
The Bible Project podcast just started a new series on the Apocalypse. You can hear about discussion on what the word really means and how we are supposed to discern this current apocalypse that we are going through. The real meaning of the word is a lot more hopeful than I expected.
Hope you all are staying well and having a good week!