Emergence ~ Valerie Ronald

I am intrigued by time-lapse nature photography, a technique that speeds up a process which normally appears subtle and slow to the human eye. When a blooming flower is captured at one film frame per second, then played back at 30 frames per second, the opening of the blossom appears 30 times faster. It is fascinating to watch a flower grow and bloom in accelerated time.

Adaptive creativity reminds me of time-lapse photography. When I review a piece of my writing, it is like seeing a flower bloom in just a few seconds. The creative process takes its own time. A completed project, once edited, revised, honed — becomes a time-lapse of all those frames of creative time opening in the reader’s mind like a blossoming flower. I consider my writing as more of an organic emergence than a technique-driven process. From idea inception to finished manuscript, the emergence occurs through interactions with God. Prayer by prayer, one soul conversation building on another, they string together like a necklace of words to grace the throat of my Savior.

Prayer is the birth channel for all I write. Whether by assignment or to express my own thoughts, the nebulous seed of a new project starts in the womb of prayer. Scripture-informed prayer influences, directs and speaks God’s voice into my writing. I seek His guidance and advice, especially when beginning. I don’t know where my own thoughts end and God’s voice begins, but I have no doubt when it is Him speaking. Sometimes insistent, often subtle, the idea grows in the creative corner of my brain until I am ready to give it life on the page.

 So is this adaptive creativity? Maybe not in the traditional sense. Certainly I have enough experience and knowledge to adapt one style of writing to another or change it to meet the requirements of a different market. Original creativity, however, keeps pace with life’s changing phases by adjusting to the climate of my days.

 Some time ago, during a long period of struggle and trials, I filled pages of journals with the pain of a betrayed marriage and a broken body. Those bleeding words were not intended for any other eyes except God’s. Yet now that I am whole and healthy again, He has called me to adapt those private words for a public readership so those who are experiencing similar grief can learn from them. Like most change, it requires vulnerability to put my heart out there for others to see. I have done much wrestling with this assignment in my private conversations with God, but I cannot escape His gentle insistence. I must believe that on the other side of obedience there is blessing.

No map exists of the adaptation of my writing journey over the years. It has gone through many transitions, each with a lesson learned and a step toward the next phase. It began as the seed of a love for words planted in a child’s heart, then gradually blossomed into acceptance as a published author. Frame by frame, prayer by prayer, God planted the seeds of what He wanted written in my voice. He gives such joy and satisfaction in the process, as He adapts the words and the writer to fulfill His perfect purposes. 

                

 

Valerie's devotionals can be read on her blog https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

FRESHNESS OR FRUIT? by Bryan Norford

 Reading previous blogs on the current issue, It has become plain that most, if not all, writers go through dry periods. Which leads me once again to challenge the premise of this month’s subject. Psalm 1:3 certainly suggests our leaves should remain green all the time. But is greenness the goal? Specifically, the Psalm suggests producing fruit in season.

 

Which brings us to the seasons of life. We bewail the dry periods of life—they are difficult and painful—yet every tree that flourishes goes though its winter cycle of apparent deadness. In Christian terms, remaining fresh is remaining faithful during the “long night of the soul.”

Ann and I often remind young marrieds, that difficulties in the relationship are not a sign the marriage is failing. Resolving them is the bedrock of a stronger marriage and closer relationship. Good marriages are built on the tough times, just as a mariner learns his craft on the rough seas.

Many of the previous blogs indicate a freshness of understanding that comes on emerging from the dark periods. It’s not too exaggerated to say our faith and perseverance are built in those times; without them we would be spiritually poorer, and our output less real. Pat answers are for those who manage to sail through life on smooth seas.

Can we recognize the barren times as necessary as the flourishing times? After all, Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a time for everything. The particular work He has for us may require the times of searching and discovery the hard times bring.

We prefer to walk in a grassy meadow than a trackless desert, but even the inhospitable desert has a severe beauty. It is only as we emerge from the aridness we can see the grandeur of God’s plan and the hidden beauty of His handiwork.

Perhaps Corrie Ten Boom’s Poem sums it up:

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

 

Every blog I’ve read this month reveals a victorious emergence from a period of barrenness. By remaining faithful, however long or short the quiet periods of germination, we will produce our fruit in season. We won’t miss it if we trust His schedule—it’s always right on time.