In the midst of such international and national insecurity we believe it’s still safe to say that the arts can give a voice to those who are crushed, oppressed, forgotten, marginalised and abused. We must keep on, keeping on. Let’s keep that in mind.
As one observes our political scene one cannot help but notice that politicians appear to thrive on ‘trapping each other’. We find it in all forms of political persuasion, the mantra seems to be, ‘what matters is your mistake or downfall might add value for me!’. It’s fascinating to read from Proverbs an ancient book in the Bible, ‘If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself.’ Proverbs 26:27. How often we see this played out in our lives!
We at Kingdom Creatives are committed to serve via the inexhaustible freedom vehicle of creativity.
I’ve been reading the gospel of John. Some of us may be familiar with this New Testament book, others of us may not. It’s hugely revelatory as to who Jesus claims to be, well worth a read.
I’ve been reflecting on the activities around Jesus’s last meal with his friends/disciples. The scene of a safe sanctuary was soon to be horribly changed to staged mocking and unimaginable suffering. We can read about this, for example, in John 19: 1-3: 17-18
Mocking appears to be fashionable right now; I’m sure the first century Christ would have something to say about this. However, Jesus knew what lay ahead for him.
It was just before the Passover feast. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and to go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.’ John 13:1
Followers of Jesus believe He will love us to the end. We can trust this teacher, he had absolutely no agenda apart from the determination to lay down his life for truth and eternal freedom.
It’s interesting how, leading up to this point, the religious leaders desperately tried to trap Jesus. And he also knew that He was going to be betrayed by one of his own. He spoke of it before it happened. It sounds like the script of a play. But the symbolism we find in this narrative is that this perfect man washes the feet of his followers, including his betrayer, as an example that we should wash one another’s feet. In reality this may not be possible yet as artists/creatives we can take off our outer garment ego and serve to see the other encouraged, facilitated, fulfilled, affirmed. We need each other, artists are often the world’s essential commentators, we are not perfect but at kingdom Creatives we seek to honour in all circumstances. We may fail, yet we want to try. We need your creativity to help us contribute well.
Our values at ‘KiC’ as Kingdom Creatives is affectionately called, are welcome, honour, surrender and influence. During 2022 and beyond we are committed to these values in all our thinking and actions, in various and diverse contexts. Recently, we had the following feedback after a creative achieved a significant goal ‘thank you for being there, without you I wouldn’t have made it’ C.
So many of us are saying, for various reasons, we don’t know the way forward, we don’t know where we’re going. And what’s more to quote the celebrated American baseball player Yogi Berra ‘if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else’! Most of us agree the pandemic has changed things, perhaps forever, so what should we bring to 2022? We have a belief that creative expression has huge potential to change dynamics. Dr Clare Fleming, a retired GP on our core team commented recently ‘creative arts are invaluable, connecting with the heart’. With a background of working with the homeless, Clare, with her flourishing gift of photography is aware of the efficacy of the arts in terms of transformation. Perhaps greater use of the arts and creativity is a potential way forward for all, changing the heart towards a brighter future.
However, There is a way forward that is unlike any other way. We read about it in John chapter fourteen. Jesus was saying to his disciples that they mustn’t be concerned because in his Father’s house there are many rooms, enough for everybody who believes. And he’s explaining to them that he’s going to prepare a place for them, and, that he will come back and take them to be with him. Jesus continues.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’ John:14:4
Thomas, one of the disciples says to him,
Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ John 14:5
Jesus answered
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well‘ John 14:6
John 14:6 is perhaps the most famous Christian scripture. One appreciates this may not resonate with us all but the words ‘if you really know me, you will know my Father as well’ are particularly amazing for anyone to consider. Those of us who might know a bit more about the biblical stories will possibly appreciate what this might mean to the Jewish listener. To claim that we can all know the Father like we might know a close friend, albeit a perfect friend, is beyond the reach of any possible expectation. We can be sure we will not be trapped by him, dishonoured in any way. To know the Creator of the cosmos, to be able to connect with the greatest artist of all time, the sculptor of the hills and valleys, the painter of the rainbow, the designer of the giraffe and the eagle, is, simply awesome.
We at ‘KiC’ hope to serve you by finding a way together, a way that serves at multiple levels, individually and corporately. Our values are based on a belief that we have the potential to use our gifts and skills to bring hope and to move together on a pathway towards creative enrichment and insight. We respect your view that your theology may be different but we hope our commitment, following the example of Christ, to serve you, to see you flourish creatively, indeed holistically, will remain attractive to you. We look forward to including you in our gatherings and projects.
It is perhaps appropriate to finish with His words…
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.‘ John 14:1