October 15th, 2013 A Testimony by: Andrea Poppleton I consider myself to be a “creative” person, for whatever that is worth. I am good at putting together themed birthday parties for my young daughters. I can sometimes dream up just the right craft or activity for a room of children to engage. I preach once a month at the church where my husband and I serve, and I regularly receive feedback that my words are inspiring or that they “paint a picture.” I once made a turkey sculpture for my family’s Thanksgiving gathering entirely out of relish tray regulars—carrots, pickles, and olives. I revel in watching my garden sprout and grow. I also dabble in the creative art of writing. As I engaged this particular writing assignment—contributing devotionals on the topic of creativity—I felt like I was working out my “own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). I was practicing creative living while writing about how to practice creative living. The whole experience was a bit peculiar. I actually encountered the challenges that I wrote about (like sin and the lure of affirmation), and then I worked to overcome them with the tools I recommend (like putting my nose to the grindstone every day to practice my craft). Overall, I feel like I have learned more than I have taught. And so it feels appropriate to borrow Paul’s words. I have not perfected the task of creative living, but I “press on to make it my own” because I want my life to be an offering to Jesus. Read: Philippians 3:12-16, I press on to make it my own. (v. 12) Prayer God, I want to “press on” and live for you. Amen. -
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:14:11 +0000