As I began reading Echoes of Eden by Jerram Barrs, I immediately saw connections to other books that we have read this year. The very beginning of chapter 1 talks about how Christian artists are going to be around non-Christian environments and that is really okay. Personally, I think that is even better because that is where Jesus is needed more. I think there are a lot of main ideas in chapter 1. I think Barrs wanted us to get out of this chapter that we have to be creative, but by being creative, we have to be open to different things. We have to be thankful for the creativeness that God placed within us, and we have to realize that he placed that within us for a purpose. Whatever talents God has placed within us, he placed within us for a reason. So we have to be open and willing to whatever comes our way. Realize that everything happens for a reason, and that God has a plan for our lives!
Just like other books we have read this year, I think the author is trying to get his readers to understand that we can be Christian artists in a non-Christian/secular world, and still touch people's lives. We do not have to scream Jesus in order for our work to make a difference in someone's life. If we are creating for God because of God, then our work has purpose and meaning. We cannot get so caught up in the desire to want to change people's lives drastically. The reality is that some people would not believe in Jesus if he were standing right in front of them. So we can't get discouraged when we do not think we are making a difference in the world. We have to stay patient, focused, and determined to follow God's purpose for our lives.
Something that really stuck out to me when I was reading was when Barrs wrote "What God has made is lovely to our eyes, but our own works, viewed under a microscope, show their flaws." It impacted me because I think sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to do so well. And honestly that is just not how things should be - especially in art. If we think too much about how something should be, how something should look, or how something should turn out.. we will most likely be disappointed. However, if we go in with an open mind and an open heart, we can figure things out as we go. There is a quote that my volleyball coaches used to tell me all the time: "If you do not have expectations, you cannot be disappointed." So do not expect anything; go with the flow and realize that that is okay. You do not always have to have a plan for everything and everyone. Sometimes the best things in life are not planned. Be spontaneous.
I also enjoyed reading the section titled "Diversity." Barrs talks about how there is beauty in the difference. He talks about how he watches the sunset; he says it is the same every day, but every day it is so different. The beauty comes from the difference. Accept the differences.
Just like other books we have read this year, I think the author is trying to get his readers to understand that we can be Christian artists in a non-Christian/secular world, and still touch people's lives. We do not have to scream Jesus in order for our work to make a difference in someone's life. If we are creating for God because of God, then our work has purpose and meaning. We cannot get so caught up in the desire to want to change people's lives drastically. The reality is that some people would not believe in Jesus if he were standing right in front of them. So we can't get discouraged when we do not think we are making a difference in the world. We have to stay patient, focused, and determined to follow God's purpose for our lives.
Something that really stuck out to me when I was reading was when Barrs wrote "What God has made is lovely to our eyes, but our own works, viewed under a microscope, show their flaws." It impacted me because I think sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to do so well. And honestly that is just not how things should be - especially in art. If we think too much about how something should be, how something should look, or how something should turn out.. we will most likely be disappointed. However, if we go in with an open mind and an open heart, we can figure things out as we go. There is a quote that my volleyball coaches used to tell me all the time: "If you do not have expectations, you cannot be disappointed." So do not expect anything; go with the flow and realize that that is okay. You do not always have to have a plan for everything and everyone. Sometimes the best things in life are not planned. Be spontaneous.
I also enjoyed reading the section titled "Diversity." Barrs talks about how there is beauty in the difference. He talks about how he watches the sunset; he says it is the same every day, but every day it is so different. The beauty comes from the difference. Accept the differences.
http://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Eden-Reflections-Christianity-Literature/dp/1433535971