Permission to be "unproductive" in your Creativity

Had a few visitors from CRM* this week. Two stayed here and three in a nearby hotel. It's always nice to hear more of what's going on in other places with our organization. Enriching to get to know better others who like us, live by faith, are supported by others who believe in us and what we're doing. Nice to meet others who share the values & ethos of CRM. *Church Resource Ministries

I had a chance to chat with Alex & Kat about my undying passion for theatre. Why do i have this bulldog determination to figure out how to practice it as part of worship, in building up followers of Jesus, and in sharing what we've found to be ultimate reality: An all powerful creator and sustainer God who though holy, loves each of us intimately and wants realationship with us! (Okay, maybe I wasn't chatting, I was more like pouring my heart out!)

Kat. sweet quiet Kat. I found her later browsing an art book in the living room. My talking about theatre and what I'm doing or dreaming about stirs up some important part of her GOD'S IMAGE-BEARING SOUL that has not been allowed to flourish. Only recently has she been allowing herself to let her creative spirit out: she's loved making hand made greeting cards. Loves collage. She enjoys the process of creating things. Enjoys. Gets joy in being creative.

But the censors in her life, and memory, and mind shout loudly:

IT'S NOT PRACTICAL! WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF IT?
How unproductive. Spending all this time to make something that no one sees, or maybe one person sees. What's the point of wasting your time on that?

I immediately get defensive and mad. What's the point??!!??? What's the point of doing something you enjoy?!??? What's the point of celebrating creativity and beauty??

So, for Kat and anyone who may read this who needs some reminders that GOD loves to be impractical in his creativity, I'm going to make a list:

• Why is every snowflake, or fingerprint, or strand of dna different? Seems like a lot of trouble to make them all unique! What's the point God? You do it just for fun??!!??
• Who cares about wildflowers of exquisite beauty that blossom in forests or desserts or fields that no one sees? Some are even scented. What's the point?
• Millions of insect species? What's the point?
• Glowing neon fish and unusual mysterious animals in the dark depths of the sea? Where's the purpose in that?
• Why do our hearts soar at seeing some photograph or video of a scene of unspoiled nature? Why is it especially powerful if it happens in real life? Why is natural beauty - creation - beautiful to us? Could it be that it's because we're getting a priviledged view of God's "private collection"? What's the point of having all this nature if no one sees it, or skiis it, or builds a resort near it?
• Why do we have such a natural appreciation for unspoiled nature?

What's the point or purpose of all this nature that is seen only by God?

It's really okay for us to immitate him. Really. It is. Go enjoy making something today that is beautiful but won't last. Enjoy making that meal and consuming it. It's not just FUEL to keep your body running so that you can run back out there and do more practical purposeful things!

Go ahead. Make something.
And don't feel like you have to make excuses for yourself doing it.
God doesn't. Why should you?