Virtue: Creativity
Resolution: I choose to reveal the beauty of God according to my strengths and gifts.

Human Story: Church Art

Biblical narratives, characters, and Christian motifs have inspired countless works of art throughout Christianity’s history that for the most part tell a story – the story of God with us. From the beginning, symbols such as the crucifix and the fish (the ichthus- a Greek acronym for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior”) were used to reveal followers who made Christ a part of their own life’s story. Symbols quickly turned into paintings, frescos, mosaics, icons, sculptures, literature, dance, music, and even cathedrals. Each of these contain a message that the artist seeks to share with the viewer: a teaching, an expression of worship, or a means to understand or work through the difficulties of life and faith. Each piece beckons both the creator and viewer to participate in the story of God. One has only to walk into a cathedral to see the beautiful depictions of Christ’s life on stained glass, the purpose of which was to teach the story of Jesus to those who could not read. Another example is listening to Handel’s Messiah, which can cause one’s soul to soar heavenward. Art expressions have enabled many humble and great artists (which includes every person) to make sense of faith within one’s own contexts. The different depictions of the Good Shepherd narrative pictured throughout this lesson are evidence of how God transcends culture into one’s own life and situation. Throughout history art has largely been an avenue for a greater inspiration and experience with God.

While faith inspires creative expression and thought, it also inspires action! Our creativity is not limited to producing pieces of art but is also expressed in the act of creating a life that shares the story of a creative and loving God. As Christians we fashion our individual lives in a way that reflects the God we believe in, but we also play a part collectively in creating the type of world we live in. How we live is itself a form of art that shares the message of God. Faith longs to be expressed and shared, and so it enters into our creative venues over and over again. No matter how many times the same story is told, it will be uniquely told and heard because each person uniquely creates, understands and expresses. May we be storytellers of a God who loves life.

Lesson: Matthew 16:13-16 (NIV)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

“Who do you say I am?” Imagine Jesus asking this question to His disciples in a very intimate moment of stillness between the bustling activities of the day. As the reality of who He is begins to sink in amidst the different theories surrounding Jesus’ person, this declaration of who Jesus is becomes one of the pivotal parts of the gospel. While Simon Peter is the one who gives his answer, it is this answer that Christians repeatedly give: “You are the Messiah (or Savior), the Son of the living God.” It is this question that Christ asks us each day as we wake up, as we interact with others, as we work and play, and as we go to sleep. It is our answer to this question that informs how we go about living life! Like the disciples, we are surrounded by various theories on who Jesus is. There are some who say Jesus is a particular race, some who say Jesus is a Republican or a Democrat, some who say Jesus supports capitalism, socialism, or what have you. Jesus can quickly become who we want, rather than who He is, because it suits our advantage or preference. Jesus is asking us to reveal who He is not only to others but also to ourselves. This requires putting aside misconceptions and seeking the living God, who came for the life of the entire world.

How do you picture Jesus? Who do you say that He is?

Remembrance

Be Thou My Vision by Audrey Assad

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'n's Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate'er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

Challenge

Reflect on a specific bible story or attribute of God. Think of a creative way to express your feelings about that. Paint a picture, write your thoughts in a journal, write a song or poem, form clay into a shape, dance or sign before the Lord. Worship God through your creativity.

Reflection

The concentration of a small child at play is analogous to the concentration of the artist of any discipline. In real play, which is real concentration, the child is not only outside of time, he is outside himself. He has thrown himself completely into whatever it is that he is doing. A child playing a game, building a sand castle, painting a picture, is completely in what he is doing. His self-consciousness is gone; his consciousness is wholly focused outside himself… When we are self-conscious, we cannot be wholly aware; we must throw ourselves out first. This throwing ourselves away is the act of creativity. So, when we wholly concentrate, like a child in play, or an artist at work, then we share in the act of creating.       - Madeleine L’Engle

Further Growth

2021: Book of Common Prayer Proper 23

Old Testament: Ruth 1:1-19a
Psalm: Psalm 113
New Testament: 2 Timothy 2:1-15
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

2020: Book of Common Prayer Proper 23

Old Testament: Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm: Psalm 23
New Testament: Philippians 4:4-13
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14