Talented?, Part 4

{For previous parts, see 1, 2, and 3.}

painting,
drawing,
dancing,
writing,
singing,
strumming the strings of a guitar. 

it’s not just paint on a page, 
words on a screen,
movements on a stage 
or across the living room floor,

it’s creation. it’s a continuation,
of a rhythm
a beat, 
a song, 
written, composed by
our Creator,
our Papa,
the star breather.

a paintbrush stroke on a page,
meaningless? or merely the next verse
in the song
that started with
“let there be light”?

a step in ballet shoes,
a twisting of joyous bare feet,
empty, hollow? 
or
an echo of
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

clay between palms,
brainstorming sessions at one AM,
songs, 
music,
jamming with friends,

when we’re asked what it is that we “do”
it seems so often as though we disregard these things,
for the ones that ‘pay the bills’.

we disregard them as “hobbies”
when actually, we are treading on sacred ground
every time we open our mouths in song,
move our feet in dance,
lift our hands to create.
Every time we find our souls reaching out to the world through our
fingertips,
through our talents,
through our dreams,
we find ourselves becoming more and more
like our Papa.

using the hands He created,
to create.

hobby?

no.

sacred act.
divine dance.
blessed,
gifted,
needed in this world.

so when they ask “what do you do?”

don’t be afraid to tell them:

“I dance.
I sing.
I draw.
I act.
I capture images.
I write stories.
I laugh and jam with friends.
I watch stars,
and clouds,
and feel the air between my fingers 
on long car rides.
I create.

Just like our Papa.”

~Kate, “Sacred Ground”

“We disregard them as “hobbies” when actually, we are treading on sacred ground.” Why are we treading on sacred ground? Because we’re “becoming more and more like our Papa”: creating, like He created–with the very hands and minds and talents He created.

We glorify and delight God when we use the talents He gave us. When we take what He’s given and put it to good use–after all, He gave them to us to use, right?

When we create and use our gifts, we are imitating Him.

it is natural for us to create for
He who made us also
made infinitely greater things than
we can comprehend
so
it is only natural that we should feel drawn to
form, mold, sketch, write, and
sing our imperfect melodies
in worshipful imitation
of the one perfect Creator

“create“

Worshipful imitation. Wanting to be like Him (as much as possible). Adoring Him. Following His example.

Isn’t that what we want? Are encouraged and commanded to do?

So why don’t we?