Where did I put my crayons?
My office is filled with art. Some of that art is executed by professionals who have dedicated their lives to their craft, some of it was gluesticked by 4-year-olds between snack and the next trip to the playground. In truth I’d never try to compare the two (a bit like C.S. Lewis or Foster to my meager ramblings), but they share a deep power to touch and to teach, and they are both dear to me. As I look around I m surrounded by grass seed tigers, finger painted faces, a framed print by Brian Andreas that regularly resets my priorities, photos that remind me who I am, and a glitter collage that I’m still trying to fully comprehend.
The funny thing about it is that while it all belongs to me, most of it treasured gifts, none of it is mine. There’s really very little excuse for this behavior. No one who knows me well would claim that I am a classically trained artist, but I’d be the first person in the parade declaring that the purpose of art goes far beyond well polished pieces that sell well. What I see when I look closely is a need to return to a truer expression of my faith.
You see, as an Associate Pastor, I have opportunities on a weekly basis to express my faith. Most of them are at the front of a classroom of fairly captive students. Those students know me well, our exchanges are honest and well thought out. They are relevant and studied. They are often funny and heartwarming and occasionally challenging and heart rending, but they are rarely as honest as the art that surrounds me whether it’s the framed timepiece that graced my grandfather’s pocket or the hand carved nativity relief.
As hard as I struggle to be direct and speak my heart, my words inevitably come out tainted by my concern for their feelings or my own privacy. I wonder when and where I forfeited the gift of creatively and honestly expressing the love and wonder my heart holds for my heavenly Father. I know beyond any doubt that the artistic expression of the Christian faith is worship that honors our Savior. How can I do less than let it inform my understanding and soften my heart.
I’m hoping that as I attend Matter 09′ one of the things I draw closer to is a better understanding of how we as children of an ultimately creative Father reflect that aspect back to Him and in turn come to know him better. Certainly we’ll share with painters, songwriters, photographers, scuplters, poets, and wordsmiths, but if it helps you to know, there will be at least one dedicated rank novice in attendance. I’ll see you there. Now, where did i put my crayons?
-Cory Pepiton (5/18/09)
