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What forms of art are inspiring you right now?
I’ve always maintained that I’m not a poetry person, and yet poetry keeps making it into my sermons lately because writers, thinkers, theologians in my timeline and my inbox keep sharing them and, to my surprise, I keep finding myself moved by them. (You can read those poems I shared here and here.)
All kinds of good, inspiring art and beauty can be found in the high holy days of Advent and Lent. But what about this seemingly interminable in between time? (Seriously, Lent starts about as late as it can this year as Ash Wednesday isn’t until March 5.) One place I know you can find some inspiring, beautiful art is right here in our sanctuary space. Next time you are in the building, take a few moments to get up close and really take in the art that adorns our forward walls and stage (the photo accompanying this post is one)—art created by our own Kim Nave.
Art of various types was a key piece in our Advent devotionals and studies last year. Those devotionals included statements from the artists about their work—the materials used, what inspired them, how they see the work connecting to the themes. I asked Kim to consider offering something similar regarding her art. Here’s what she wrote:
“During Advent, we did a Bible study that included art work and the artists’ thoughts on their work and how it related to each week’s topic. It has given me great inspiration for symbols of God’s love and our jobs as Christians. When you look at the decorations in the boxes and hanging under the screens in our sanctuary space, you see fabric hearts. These hearts are created from different designs of material. Alone they are beautiful on their own. They do serve a purpose. But when you combine them, and see how beautifully they work together to create harmony into a work of art, it makes you think.
How each one of us are created and beautiful in our own right. If we all come together, in our differences, what a beautiful work of art of God’s love we can create. If you look up diversity in the dictionary it says; “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.”
All art work involves different colors, materials, etc. If you try to create with only one color, it is hard to make something that would intrigue a viewer. But when you bring together different colors, styles and materials, you create something beautiful. God created us all differently and accepts us for who we are. That was and is His amazing example we should all live by. Love unconditionally. Find the beauty in everyone. Come together to show the amazing work of art we can become. — Kim Nave