From the National Cathedral

Do you ask an illustrator to write a book? No, that is for the writer to do. Do you ask a writer to illustrate a book? No, that is for the illustrator to do. Together they create a story that illustrator-types and writer-types can both enjoy. They’ve approached the story as they are able and through their efforts others may also approach the story as they are able. The whole world shares in the gifts.

Some are gifted and able to approach stories as both writer and illustrator. So much greater the gift and the blessing, but may they not look down on those who approach only one way. For it is through all gifts both big and small that the story is exalted.

The writer meant no disrespect in missing the subtleties of the illustrator’s art when forming sentences, and likewise the illustrator meant no disrespect by simplifying the writer’s craft into one glimpse. As neither are masters of the other’s craft, they cannot measure up or be judged parallel or compared. While the writer conveys action and movement, the illustrator conveys detail and imagery. Neither approach is better nor worse; they are merely different.

Differences that divide subtract from the whole. Each craft becomes competition, drawing audiences away from the true center, the story, and towards the writing or the illustrations. Differences that complement combine to form something greater than the two parts could alone. The focus can then be central as the voice of the story is multiplied. The focus is seen and the story magnified when the elements are held together despite differences.

The Sacred Center

In my Congregation and Its Ministries class we talked about the book “Rediscovering the Sacred Center” by Howard E. Friend Jr and it blew my mind! It wasn’t a completely new thought, nor a new practice. He explained something I’ve found myself doing over and over. I’m proud to say that it’s my practice, but I’m humbled by the sheer number of mistakes before I got there.

The illustration is like this: God is in the center. There is a true self and a false self. The true self is as God desires us to be—what we are as followers of Christ. That’s the aim, the goal, but we always find ourselves acting as false selves—people guided by ego and fear and perceptions of others. The false self lies and hides and misrepresents God. In moments of conviction we realize that we are living falsely, so through willpower we change our actions and attitudes to align with the true self. It works for a time, but society pulls us back to the false self, our willpower gives out. This cycle repeats itself and will continue to repeat until we approach it the situation differently.

Here’s the focus: instead of pushing toward the true self and striving after what we think God wants us to do or be like, we pull into the center. It’s ingenious! Pulling in to the sacred center makes the eventual move back to the true self authentic. Instead of forcing our to fit our ideal image we wait in God until the true self emerges organically. How else can we become who God intended except through God? The aim is the true self, but instead of setting criteria and willing ourselves to fulfill the requirements, we dwell in God and let our true selves manifest through God authentically. It’s brilliant!

And that’s what I’ve done. Arguably that’s what I do every night, but it’s especially clear when I hit though crashes and have dates with God. When I’m feeling drained and dry and tossed about I retreat to God. “You are God and I am man so I leave it in your hands” is the pulling to the center when God is.

This is how I wish practices evolved. I don’t want people to say, “Prayer is good, so I’m going to pray 5 times a day.” I don’t want someone to say, “A good Christian would read the Bible, so I’m going to read it through in a year.” Those things are great and holy habits and spiritual practices can probably begin that way, but I want it you be different. I want it to be, “God, I desire more conversation with you, so I’m going to try to pray 5 times a day.” Or “God, I want to know more about you, so I’m going to spend more time in your Word.” That’s authentic! Those are God centered practices! And I think those are what God loves.

Imagine a church that lives that way! Just imagine it! My mind gets blown after a few minutes! It makes everything life-giving and flexible and open. It makes way for all sorts of gifts and creativity! It gives everyone responsibility for their own relationship with God. God, I think it’s beautiful. I really do.

Take my life - HWB 389

Once upon a time I went on an amazing weekend retreat with a bunch of incredible people. And we sang this song. And I liked the words, so I posted them on my blog. The end.


Take my life

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.