Let’s Celebrate Life!
Rev. David Adams presents a refreshingly unique perspective on being an artist, and being a servant.
“There is a vitality,
a life force,
a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.
And If you block it, it will never exist through any other
medium and be lost.
The world will not have it. It is not your business to
determine
how good it is
nor how valuable it is
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly
to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that
motivate YOU.
Keep the channel open…
No artist is pleased…
There is no satisfaction whatever at anytime
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes “us” MORE alive than the others.”
A friend of mine wrote this letter, originally from Martha Graham to Agnes de Mille, in the jacket of a book she gave me. I remember reading it and thinking “oh what a sweet sentiment”. And then, like I often do, I put it aside, like something I hope to revisit someday when…
Years later, I came across that book and I wept as I re-read the words she’d so carefully shared with me, reminding of all that I had been through in leaving the opera world.
And again, just this week, I read this from another source. It took years for me to see how profound these words truly are when taken to heart, and how vital this message is for all of us.
Now you might be thinking, “well, I am no artist”. But aren’t you? Aren’t we all, at some level, artists in our own unique way? Those of us that work in the performing or creative arts certainly understand, but what if your art lies in the way you care for those in need? What if your art is the signature way you radiate calm when things around you are in flux? Or the way you can rock a baby to sleep in minutes?
Maybe your artistic gift shines because you make the best cherry pie in the county?
Or create awe-inspiring things with your hands and a couple little sticks?
It’s from this idea of the word “artist” that I want to share with you today,
that aspect of you that is purely unrepeatable, that is, as Graham says it,
that divine dissatisfaction. Blessed unrest that keeps you marching, and stirs within you something that can only be described as life.
In Genesis, we read stories of the creative process…
“…have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
Now, we’ve taken that word dominion quite literally for centuries, treating anything that seems to be not like “us” as something to dominate, control, or subdue.
Later, in Genesis 2:15, we read
“…God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”
Humanity is slowly coming to realize that, perhaps
the better word to describe our role in this divine creation
is that of “steward.” We are learning the affects our reckless
treatment of the earth is having ~ from the water we drink to the air we breathe. And while environmental pollution continues, we are seeing a growing effort to curb it, creating a habitable world for generations to come. We are finding ways to appreciate the beauty of the animal kingdom that doesn’t require us to kill, and while senseless killing continues, there is a growing movement to preserve and protect…to observe and appreciate…
celebrating the glory of these creations of our shared divinity.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were to learn to offer that same dignity to our fellow stewards as well?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could recognize the artist within each soul we meet? If we could observe and appreciate that which is different from us, with a desire to see it flourish, along with every artistic expression?
1 Corinthians 4:1-
“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”
Stewards of God’s mysteries…what are these mysteries?
A mystery, by definition, is something not understood or beyond understanding, or, in a spiritual sense, a truth that one can only find through revelation and not fully understand.
Through science, we have learned the atmospheric complexities of a sunset, but can we explain the mystery of what viewing one invokes in us?
Or how each one we see seems to be the most beautiful one yet?
We may understand how a cat’s purr is physically created, but can we fully explain the mystery of its soothing effect on us?
It’s these mysteries, the gifts of our experience, that subtly or overtly remind us of our interconnectedness with all of creation, and the value of life in absolutely every form.
It’s these mysteries of which we are stewards. We are called to nurture these mysteries. We are called to create an environment where they can
flourish.
So ~ how well are we doing in being good stewards of our neighbor?
When we see a community being marginalized for any reason, how willing are we to come forward in some way? Taking a stand for their divinity and celebrating it the best way we can?
Verses 2–5:
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should
be found trustworthy.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.
I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby
acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the
Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now
hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of
the heart. Then each one will receive commendation
from God.
To be trustworthy is to be dependable; seen as honest;
reliable. Now what follows is a series of questions for us to consider.
And I ask that you hear them with an open mind and heart. It’s not my desire to tell you how you should respond, nor is it my place to share my own responses. I ask them like I asked them of myself. So you might ask them of yourself. Take them into a time of prayer and meditation, and be willing to see what is revealed to you.
We celebrate Juneteenth, honoring the news of emancipation being delivered to the enslaved in Texas some 256 years
ago (two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was
signed). But have we, as stewards of all creation, created an environment of trust for our fellow stewards, affected by this proclamation?
Are we willing to?
June is also Pride Month, celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Have we, as stewards of all creation, created an environment of trust for our fellow stewards within th LGBTQ community?
And while I would say within our Unity of Independence community the answer is yes, as a society — as a member of the community my answer
is NO.
Are we willing to?
Nearly every calendar month offers chances to celebrate the
rich diversity of humanity, but how well are we doing? As stewards of all creation, in working toward a time when such celebrations are
ongoing? Because all humanity, all life is seen, heard, respected, loved unconditionally, and encouraged to be the fullest expression of the divine artist within them?
Again, these questions are to be taken into the quiet of
prayer. Here’s Paul again: “Don’t allow the human court of public
discourse to weigh too heavily in your answers.”
Do your best to do as Paul suggests in v. 5:
“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive
commendation from God. Don’t become trapped by indecision, confusion, or upset over something presented that you don’t understand.
Take anything that comes before you inward.
Spend time in the presence of God within, where right
action will be revealed.
For even the most outspoken advocates of marginalized
peoples.
There is still more to be done, more healing over which to hold space, more love to be spread, more support to be shared.
It is impossible for us to change the conditions which have
brought us to where we are today, but as stewards, I do believe we have within us, as individuals, and as a society, the capacity to learn from it. To make it so these conditions are not passed on.
Now, part of deconstructing the past, such that the future is
filled with hope, certainly involves a willingness to have honest, civil
discussions on difficult topics.
As I sat with this scripture I kept coming back to the
idea of CELEBRATION. That, perhaps, another way to take these next steps
might be by immersing ourselves in cultures outside of our own.
It is human nature to gravitate toward what we might call
“like-minded” people. And in regard to spiritual growth, that may be an
excellent course of action. But I wonder if it is the best option when considering societal healing and transformation, to connect with people of other heritage, culture, and traditions?
It helps us break down invisible barriers. When we are surrounded only by those with whom we share history or beliefs, we create an invisible barrier
by offering someone of a different background the gift of friendship.
You gain access to their world, and they yours. Which pulls down those barriers and gets us out of our shell.
By giving us a more well-rounded perspective, it opens us up to new ideas and ways of thinking that we might otherwise never encounter. We become less critical of people and things we don’t
understand, and carry that sense of open-mindedness with us.
It also gives us a better understanding of life as a whole.
Simply put, the more diverse people you meet, the better understanding you have of others, and even yourself.
For the sake of time, let’s assume you are on board with this new and exciting adventure, and ready to practice this approach to stewardship through the gift of connection and celebration.
Some great places to start?
Find or consider hosting local festivals and other
organized events celebrating other cultures and traditions.
Immerse yourself in new sounds, flavors, and
conversations. It’s like traveling around the world without ever
packing a suitcase!
Or attend book signings, speaking events, or other public
presentations that allow you to meet people from different walks of life, in an environment where they feel at ease.
If this idea makes you uncomfortable, just imagine how it must feel for them at times, and then celebrate the courage and strength they
exhibit every day.
Also celebrate the courage and strength YOU are exhibiting by
stepping out of your comfort zone.
This is one way to, as Martha Graham called it, keep your
channels open ~ open to new worlds, new perspectives, new and
perhaps deeper understanding of those whom you may at some
time have held at a distance.
Coming back to the second part of today’s scripture, Paul
writes:
“I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your
benefit, brothers and sisters, so that you may learn
through us the meaning of the saying, ‘Nothing beyond
what is written’, so that none of you will be puffed up
in favor of one against another.
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you
did not receive? And if you received it, why do you
boast as if it were not a gift?”
Apollos metaphysically represents, as I understand it, the binary assessment we use in life. This can create hard judgments in us because we, in a desire to be free from “sinful” or errored thinking, see all that doesn’t align with our beliefs as corrupt, evil, or wrong.
On each of our hearts is written the perfect plan for
this life. None better or worse; each important, vital, and worthy
of respect. So that we may see every aspect of every being as a gift ~
not broken, weird, or in error.
And as stewards, we are called to see the magnificent
artist within everyone we meet as another glorious gift.
Life, in itself, is an expression and a gift to be celebrated.
We often say we value all creation, but our actions don’t always align with this. At times, we behave as if there is only so much love, so much
joy, so much prosperity in both material and spiritual
forms, that we guard our own.
We boast of what we have and see it as a definition of
who we are.
We seek the good for everyone only to the level that it
benefits or is convenient for ourselves.
We forget that all we have, all we are, is a gift meant and divinely
designed to be shared, and belongs by divine birthright to all.
The homeless person in need of the most basic provisions?
This artist offers us the gift of compassion, and we have the
opportunity to give back hope, in whatever form we are able.
The child that goes hungry when schools shut down?
This artist offers us the gift to be of service, and we have the
opportunity to give back in some small way, either on our own or supporting an organization that provides food services.
Every person, every animal, every bit of creation you
encounter is a living work of art with a gift to offer.
We can celebrate all people doing the best they know how.
We can celebrate perseverance.
We can celebrate a willingness to live authentically.
Even if we don’t understand the lessons we learn from supporting such freedom for all living beings.
We can celebrate the beauty of a sunset.
We can celebrate the love and affection of our animal
friends and the beauty of the animal kingdom.
We can celebrate the magnificence of our planet, the moon,
stars, and the universe. There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening
that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.
The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine
how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that
motivate YOU.
Let’s keep the channel open… let’s celebrate life!
