Sincerity

I just watched an interesting video on youtube. Poet and singer Bradley Hathaway was talking about creating art as a follower of Jesus Christ and how the goal isn't to be unique or to stand out, but to be sincere which may mean being "normal" at times. C.S. Lewis said that the man who tries not to create something new or different but who strives to be sincere and tell the truth regardless of how many times it's been told before is the man who is truly creative. (Lewis said it prettier than I did, but you know.)

I'm an artist. I'm not famous and few people hear my songs or my poems. Honestly, I've written tons of songs on the same subject or surrounding the same event in my life. Truth be told, it's the same stuff that you go through. It's nothing new because sin, death, decay, hurt, healing, joy, love, compassion-- these are not new things. Life on this breaking-down planet is not new. So why is it important? Why do the things I write matter? I can't create anything new. I can't create anything. Sure, I can write a song, but I didn't invent sound or language. I didn't create the pen or paper I wrote it on. Honestly, the song isn't my own.

And that's why it matters.

When I write about my experiences with sincerity and I place it in the hands of the One who created everything-- who took time to create me and has stuck with me-- then the songs and poems have a purpose. The art has a purpose.

I have a purpose. He gave it to me and it is to glorify Him, and to experience Him, and to share Him with others in whatever ways I can, whether that's through art or something like baking a pie for someone. In His hands, everything has purpose.

My life is not about me and I'm so glad.