derekmaul

Imagination, Collaboration and Innovation are Spiritual Gifts

– the sanctuary at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church

Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.

1 Peter 4:10
– doing photography

Today’s key words are “Imagination,” “Innovation,” and “Collaboration.”

A couple of weeks ago, and in response to several requests, I shared a series of photographs highlighting the beautiful windows here at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church. The post – Focus on the Stained Glass – turned out to be hugely popular.

The sanctuary, flooded with morning light, glowed with a preternatural radiance.

– Ann Margaret’s fresh eyes

Today’s key image is taken from that set of pictures, but was – later – edited by a talented young videographer, Ann Margaret Taylor. Ann Margaret has been helping HMPC produce a series of vlogs that focus on our history, as told by members who are deeply rooted in the story.

I am sharing the image today because Ann Margaret’s interpretation made me think that, quite often, creative work involves not just imagination and innovation but collaboration too: A) the beautiful design of the sanctuary, B) my photograph, and then C) Ann Margaret’s vision as an artist.

This in turn caused me to consider the proposition that living well, and also doing faith well, can benefit from – in addition to our best creative ideas – a commitment to collaboration too.

I am talking about the principle of community – the Creator-initiated and baked-in truth that human beings are designed, first and foremost, for a collaborative life journey.

  • Community as experienced in a good marriage;
  • Working cooperatively as neighbors;
  • Support, encouragement and accountability in the church;
  • Moving forward together and building constructive consensus as towns and cities;
  • Bringing the best of diversity and passion and political conviction to bear on society;
  • Working – out of a sense of community – for the common good…
– the practice of community

But most of all, on my mind and heart, the idea that we are our very best when we come together and share our gifts. This is how God designed us; not as individuals but as community, as God’s children, as collaborators, as – in a sense – artists with spirits wide open to the possibilities.

Okay, it’s just a black and white photograph. But the best of art makes us think, inviting us to consider things beyond ourselves – inviting us into community.

Peace, and more peace – always – DEREK

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