Well I'm awaiting my flight home to Orlando. It's been a good weekend of reading, visiting and seeking. I am anxious to get home though...I really miss Heather and the girls. This may be the first time I've ever done any sort of trip away from the family without anyone else (no staff, friends, etc.). Knowing I would be in Asheville, a very artsy-type town I took along a short little book I've been wanting to read. In fact it's more like a glorified pamphlet, but good nonetheless. It's entitled Art for God's Sake by Philip Graham Ryken. I would highly recommend it. There was much that was helpful as a Christian, regardless if you are artistic or not. I would not consider myself overly artistic (in a traditional sense), but there were several things he said that got me thinking. If art is at it's core about "creating" then to an extent we all have artistic endeavors. Ryken also had a poignant articulation of the angst of an artist when he writes the following...
It is never easy to be a painter, a poet, a musician, or any other kind of artist. While every calling has its own unique trials and tribulations, the life of the artist seems especially hard. There is the dificulty of the art itself--of creating, executing, and perfecting a design or a composition. It is always costly, in personal terms, to produce a work of art. Then, once the work is produced, it is sometimes undervalued. People fail to hear its message or appreciate its artistry. To be an artist is often to be misunderstood. There is also the inescapable fact that many artists are underpaid.
When I read this it actually made me wonder if everyone doesn't feel this regarding their vocation? I feel like being misunderstood, underappreciated and underpaid may in fact be the plight of many...or is it just pastors? :) I find this encouraging more than discouraging. If you are being misunderstood or undervalued it is in response to what you are creating. But at least "creating" is taking place. When I am creating I am imitating my Creator and His image.
I realize I'm rambling. Too much time in isolation coupled with too much coffee. I will stop now. Thanks for reading.
