A Genesis Hodge-Podge

Since coming to college, I have encountered an interesting interpretation of the Creation story in Genesis 1.  On several occasions and from different sources, I have heard people suggest that part of the way we can interpret Genesis 1 is that humanity has been created to be co-creators with God.  Wrapped up in that interpretation is a fascinating idea,

Creation is Active.  

It did not stop on day 7, or after God made Eve, or whatever other event you might choose as a culminating point.  The process of establishing order within chaos still happens every day, and we are (or atleast, can be) a part of that process.  Indeed, this interpretation of Genesis 1 is almost always paired with the assertion that all of humanity is called to participate in the on-going process of Creation.  Which, for me, could help explain why there is so much satisfaction in a sense of accomplishment.  Because how often do you intentionally set out to establish chaos?  And even if you have, or do, how often do we feel any sense of accomplishment or satisfaction at causing the chaos, unless there is some ultimate creative and ordering motivator behind our temporary chaos?

It is in bringing order, in whatever form, that brings this sense of accomplishment. And maybe that sense of accomplishment is telling us we are living into part of our calling as people created in God's own Creative Image. 

Whether we are cleaning a room, or a park, or a community. 

Or ordering colors and lines and shapes and making art.  

Or combining notes and creating beautiful music.

Or ordering words to write poetry, or a blog, or express truth in some other way. 

Or blending flavors to cook delicious food to share with family and friends.  

Or offering love or encouragement or forgiveness or help to someone who is overcome by the brokenness of their life and the chaos of the world.

The list goes on and on, and is as broad and varied as the people who are creating. And it isn't just right-brained artsy people either. The scientist that takes what she learns and uses it to make our farming practices on their surrounding ecosystems, or our energy usage more efficient and clean, or our population healthier.  When doctors use what they learn and bringing healing to lives and bodies devastated by tragedy or disease. Each of these is participating in the ongoing process of Creation that God called us to take part in when we were created. 

Which brings me to the point of my blog.

If there is one thing I know about creating, it is that it takes a good deal of courage.  I would venture to guess that fear, either of rejection or criticism, has been one of the single most inhibiting factors on the expression of creativity.  Part of what I have in mind for this blog is to help overcome that fear by making you as comfortable as possible with idea of your own creative imperfections, by sharing with you some of mine.

The other side of this is to help give you a jumping off point for your own creative pursuits, because I know if fear of rejection is inhibitor number 1, then fear of options is probably fear number 2. 

What do I do?

Where do I start? 

How do I choose what to do and how to do it?

My plan at the moment is to share with you some of my creative endeavors as I go through them.  I will be here to offer you what guidance I can, what encouragement I can, and whatever ideas and suggestions I can.  I will strive to be as open about my own process as I am with the fruits of my labor, including both successes, failures, and the "ehh, not bad" in between. As such, I welcome all constructive, inquisitive, and encouraging comments. I know theological or biblical conversation has a tendency to spark debate, so as I incorporate such commentary, whether my own or that of others, I ask that we strive to keep whatever debate that may arise as peaceful, constructive, and edifying as possible. Thanks!

For me, most of what I currently create is either in the form of food, poetry, or conversations that pursue Truth. Those will probably be recurring themes in this blog here at the beginning. However, I do expect, if you and I hang around and keep at this, the whole thing is going to evolve over time. I have a feeling that the more I (and all of you) continue to dwell on our roles in God's ongoing Creation, the more Kingdom-oriented our expressions of creativity will become and the more integrated they will be in our lives.  

For now though, this is as much a hobby-blog for would-be poets, chefs, and theologians, as it is anything else.  A hodge-podge of some of the smaller ways I explore the calling of Genesis 1. I am as much a curious novice in these fields as the rest of you.

So try new things, encourage each other, share ideas, and explore this small corner of the even greater calling God has given us.