Just Show Up

This Ted Talk resonates with me in many ways; I'm passionate and curious about ideas concerning creativity, genius, inspiration, and wisdom. As a Christian, I know what, rather Who, is this elusive source. He is God. But to many, it (He) is elusive because it (He) defies definition by people without God. They "believe" in something mysterious that can't be explained, such as an energy, and because it can't be defined in their terms, they believe God is the same thing as mystery. It's mysterious so it must be God, they reason. At best, they barely have a loose understanding of Him based on worldly perspectives, such as religions and popular opinions. Yet, there's much more to Him than moral rules, principles, guidelines, prophecy, physical healing, energy and mystery.

Ted Talk - Elizabeth Gilbert - Your Elusive Creative Genius

God wants to reveal Himself in many ways because He wants people to notice Him. Why? Is it for bragging rights? Is it merely to bring glory and honor to Himself? No. It's because He has a uniquely special and personal message for us, and He wants to capture our attention so that we'll listen.

This particular Ted Talk reminded me of the verses that describe Scripture as God-breathed or given by the inspiration of God (2 Tim 3:16-17), depending on the translation. He is not elusive, from the humble, that is. For He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6), and we are to seek Him and His righteousness before all the temporal things of this world (Matt 6:33).

What's amazing is He has blessed us with the responsibility of ambassadorship. He has privileged us with the joy of being a part of His plan. He loves us so much, by including us in the process, we see with the eyes of our hearts the power of His amazing grace. He wants us to share in the glory of His Son, to comprehend the riches of our inheritance in the saints, to rejoice with Him like the Father of the prodigal son, and sing with the angels in heaven, when even a single sinner repents and believes.

Furthermore, we are no longer children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but rather speak the truth in love, (Eph 4:11-16) when as believers we finally come to understand what is the Father's plan and what is our role in it, and then get comfortably fitted with His armor (Eph 6:11-20). When we are fitted with His armor and use it, by application we can experience the working of His great power within us to His ends. And when we experience this power, His power working through us to His good pleasure, suffering takes on a whole new meaning, and we welcome the opportunity to share in Christ's suffering, to die to self, and to live for Him.

We are given this honor by grace, a true gift from God, working through faith when we put on the shoes of peace, and courageously carry the scroll of His will on our tongues to any who would listen, or in this case, read.

Yes, there is work for us after salvation, which does not earn or maintain our salvation. Recall salvation is only by grace through, not by any works (Eph 2:8-9). So, if He did all the work required for us to be saved, what is our job in salvation? To just show up (Romans 12:1). Like Mary choosing the better thing than Martha, we need to listen to God speaking. 

Writers like Elizabeth Gilbert might be confident in thinking this "elusive creative genius" is a "glimpse of God" and shout "Olé!" But, she seems clueless as to why God would share a glimpse of Himself. She seems to recognize something significant was happening, caused by a higher power or energy. But there was no attempt to understand it. It was more about paying attention to the burning bush in her heart than it was about the voice coming from the burning bush. 

It reminds me to be intentional and diligent in seeking Him. Step one is just showing up to hear Him through Scripture, humble, teachable, not arrogant or proud or thinking I already know the answers.

Lastly, why Scripture? Simple, John 17:17. As Jesus prayed to His Father for the disciples and those who would believe in Him, which is us as well as others, through their word, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." Yes, we shall be sanctified in the truth, His word is truth, the Bible is the word of God, and the Spirit of Truth will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). All truth is everything we need. There's no need to accept truth as energy or some mystery. All truth is everything He wants to say to us. 

We don't get our special calling in isolation, nor from popular opinion or from human religious practices. His calling for us is already described in detail in the word of truth. It is definitely not a do-now and find-out-later arrangement. His whole eternal plan is laid out from A to Z, and there is a basic to a more advanced sequence to understanding the information provided. 

For example, Paul had some issues to address with the church in Corinth in his first letter to them. He describes some of these issues in 1st Corinthians chapter 1. Chapter 2 is a parenthetical chapter where Paul lets out what he would love to be discussing instead. He can't, however. Prerequisite information to understanding those things in chapter 2 has not been met. How do we know? Chapter 3 tells us exactly that: 

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 ESV)

God is patient and the Spirit of Truth is a patient teacher. When we show up to humbly listen and learn is important, even critical. That means reading and studying God's word in Scripture, prayerfully, and allowing the Spirit or Truth to guide us into all truth, one step at a time. (A cliche comes to mind; don't put the cart before the horse.) This is what it means to diligently seek Him. We come to see the treasure of knowledge and wisdom that are hidden in Christ. And then it will all makes sense and harmonizes beautifully. At last we can understand His grace, His desires and His love.

:-Dwight