first I am in awe of the powerful nature of Jesus's baptism. Following him out of that scene over the last few weeks has shown me how it energized him into a life with a desire to do God's will. Made me think of being confirmed and how little that meant at the time. Being anointed on Christmas Day 10 years ago, a month after returning to church, comes to mind as a day of accepting the spirit, or at least becoming accepting of the spirit.
I have been selected as the person to gather photos to celebrate my parents, both of whom are turning 75 in 2008 and celebrating their 50th anniversary. A package came from California this week. Downloading the photos I see one I had never seen before.... my elder sister at her adult baptism which took place out west.
I sat with the three phases of humility this past week and it brings up my struggle with self-promotion. I feel awkward advertising my craft.
The other night I came across someone selling stained glass for hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Is my goal to limit my work to 5% of the population, to have fame, to have great wealth? What is my desire? Is it to do what I have loved all my life, create designs? If my craft brings me fame and wealth, then I will have to accept or reject those things based on how it touches me.
What do I desire from my life? What great desires does God want to stir up in my soul? I have doodled all my life.
Last night we went to Philadelphia to see Maria Schneider's Jazz orchestra. I closed my eyes and was taken away into the music's beauty and complexity. She has made a life from her passion. How many women who desire to compose and direct big bands end up 20 years winning a Grammy award? Did she do this for the fame or did the fame come because of a combination of talent and passion?
at the concert we ended up sharing a table with a jazz promoter. He was quite excited about one singer (a future post) and gave me her card. I gave him mine (first time I did such a thing) and told him what we make and told him we would save him a seat if he ever came back to the art museum.
with all this mind.... here is my latest piece...mostly made from scraps remaining after making the piece which I dropped...
ETSY SHOP
A Week Two piece of work --putting the pieces together? Present to a situation in need of redemption?
ReplyDeleteI love your title here, Wayne; for while I believe water baptism to be merely an outward sign of an inner commitment, our baptism into Christ, Himself, indeed brings to us "power" and requires of us "humility". The first is not secured and made a permanent part of who we are in the sense of we, ourselves, having been made power-"ful". The Holy Ghost abides and manifests Himself as we surrender ourselves to the second element, recognizing Him, alone, as grace and the greater part of such a relationship we allow to grow as we go.....
ReplyDeleteYour talent, even with odds and ends, is wonderful, my friend...
Gannet Girl and Jim-- thanks for showing me more than I saw when I wrote this.
ReplyDelete