Essentials*Blue – Week#3 Discussion

For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship History Course with Dan Wilt

Light at the End of the Tunnel by JU5T1N

When I think about what it means to be more “fully human”, I think about it in terms of coming into better understanding of what God intended when He made people and living in a way that more fully embraces that reality.

The topic of creativity hits very close to home for me. Professionally, I work in the realm of product design and I am a firm believer that *everyone* can (and should) be creative. As we are made in the image of the ultimate Creator, I think it is one of our primary callings for us to also create. While I know that I’m biased on this topic, I honestly think the ability to create and be creative in whatever area we are called to is critical to fulfilling the larger calling(s) God has placed on our lives. The world around us needs our creativity as we follow God into the challenges and opportunities surrounding us and come up with creative solutions for them. Sadly, I think this area has been woefully neglected and we desperately need to reclaim it.

I am challenged in the area of doing well at this whole “relationship” thing. I’m another introvert and it takes effort to step outside of that to make the choice to be an active part in the community around me. But I’m convinced that we are created to be together and that we’re actually *better* together. In the midst of struggling through the challenges community brings, we are also given the opportunity to find the strength and joy that comes from true community. Community helps us to find a bigger world beyond our self-absorption and become more like God as we learn to love and to give of ourselves.

On the topic of living as “just” beings, I come back to the idea that we are endeavoring to live in line with God’s original intent for mankind. He placed us in a position of authority and stewardship to rule over and care for the earth and everything in it. I think that mandate still holds. As we’re living in this present age, we’re working with God to make things right – seeking for His kingdom to come here on Earth as it is in Heaven.

I connected with Wright’s idea that we are made to be “intersection points” where Heaven and Earth come together. To me, for us to live more fully as spiritual beings means for us to come into a growing knowledge of God (in terms of depth and accuracy) and responding to that knowledge. Our response is both one of worship and adoration and also practically living out our lives in light of His larger story. That revelation changes us and how we choose to live out our lives in response to His love towards us.

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