I love children. Before I was ordained many years ago, I taught preschool. Young children offer such a gift. Their enthusiasm for life is most often unfretted. Children, especially preschool children, see the world and say “I WILL, I CAN.” But somewhere along the years from preschool through elementary school, high school and into adulthood, the phrase “I CAN” often shifts to “I CANNOT.”
When I teach creative arts prayer with children, they are happy to explore paints, colored crayons, and pencils to express what resides within. But in the maturing process toward adulthood, somehow the arts have been turned over to professionals.
Sometimes it starts early. The frustration that comes from not being able to tie your shoe. Or perhaps the peer pressure to fit into the crowd, or it maybe the deep yearning to be accepted and find belonging in community which curtails unique creativity. My guess is that many of us have been there. That place tempted to just go along with the crowd – the loudest voice, the overpowering opinions – just to help maintain the status quo of community.
Community can become very devise. In fact, community of dominant cultures have been known to be downright oppressive to folks that do not fit into the prominent perceived norm. Just look at what has been happening in our world of late. Have we ever felt overwhelmed by the immense needs of the world – or even the tremendous need in our own community? Do you ever grow weary in doing what is good?
What are we to do? How do we live creatively in a world ripe with fears, raging anger, people with the propensity to power up and over people rather than receive them in the heart?
The Scripture
Paul, in today’s letter to the Galatians 6:1-10 expresses understanding to faithful people who feel tired. They were tempted to turn inward or even give up. Paul states, “Let us not become weary.” From the Message it reads “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good,” “don’t give up, or quit.”
Why are the Galatians weary? The community is mostly Christians, those professing to follow Christ. It seems that Christians should be able to get along. But look at our own time in history. We have very vocal Christian groups on both sides of Roe vs Wade. We use our interpretations of the Bible to discern who’s in and who’s out. Both of these stances make conflict among Christians. The emotionally charged issues of our day can easily cause us to weary.
For the Galatian community the Judaizers, the Jewish Christians wanted believers to surrender to Christ but they also want to impose the law of Moses on the Gentile Christ followers. Paul moves folks beyond the rigidity of the law. He expresses that Christ came to fulfil the law. He encourages believers to submit themselves only to Christ.
Today’s Prayer Practice
How will we live creatively, boldly, and empowered by the Holy Spirit? In our worldwide chaotic neighborhood where the supreme court makes ruling that spark outrageous joy and anger, when random gunfire explodes in places that used to feel safe, and when we see bomb bursting in air – not replicated by fireworks, but raining down upon a people in Ukraine? How do live empowered by the Holy Spirit and not grow weary?
Together we listen. We spread our arms and hearts wide open so that God can put a belt around us and lead us to where we may never have imagined or thought we could, would, should, or ought to go.
Live creatively dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Do not grow weary in living out loud in love of God.
Today, you are invited to pray with Galatians 6:1-10. Click the link and go directly to the text. As you read consider:
- What word jumps into your heart?
- When or with what situation of life have you grown weary?
- How is God inviting you to live creatively through listening, loving, and receiving other people?
Conclude your time of prayer with celebration and thanksgiving.
Enjoy Praying.
