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which was then accompanied by the question, “Can you create a drawing using this line?”
I loved the challenge of this. It required a different exercise of perceiving. Instead of seeing just a squiggle, which was of no matter at all, one was invited to imagine this line as a small but intrinsic part of a picture that had yet to be executed. The possibilities were never obvious, but they were also endless. And to make something of the squiggle engaged a wonderful and compelling combination of discipline and creativity. These ads made me want to be an artist. I dreamt of it. I wanted to become skilled in being able to transform something completely arbitrary into something beautiful. I always found amazement in this.
The matchbooks are long gone, and I suspect so are the ads. The desire they instilled in me, however, endures. Reading the verses above from Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminded me of the promise I sensed in the task. Everytime he repeats the word “any” I naturally picture some odd squiggle from which he urges us to make something – something beautiful, something that might “make his joy complete.” Paul didn’t name anything distinct. He didn’t give any directions. Instead, he simply said, “Look around. You’ll find the merest of fragments of things that might be worthy. Do something with them. Do something creative. Be an artist.”
Think about the possibilities of this, how vast they are.
Over the centuries, the church has done so much to squash the artist in those who believe. One is supposed to conform to teaching, learn the narrow way, and love obedience above all. And even those who don’t think this regularly struggle to get out from under the shadow of the church’s overwhelming language of obligation and restraint. How tragic this is, because all our creativity could be put to use to amaze those for whom life has become perpetually dull.
All we need do is find anything – anything – and, as an artist, fashion something beautiful. And what would happen in our experience of church if this were our clear and primary desire?
Prayer
You come to us, O Christ: you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. All times and seasons are yours, and in you all things hold together and are brought to completion. Draw us by your Spirit into communion with you and one another and make us and all things whole and free in the full force of your deathless love.
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