The Creative Call - Book Review, by Lorrie Orr

 

For more than a quarter of a century, Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way has been a classic for people seeking to give voice to their creative bent. It's a useful and life-changing book, but misses one important aspect - the acknowledgement of a personal and creative God who empowers his people with his Spirit. 

Julia Elsheimer, in The Creative Call, names the God of the universe and acknowledges him directly as the source of creativity, particularly for a Christian artist. Each chapter is anchored with Scripture verses, and readers are encouraged to memorize the verses, something Elsheimer calls "word play." 

In the chapter "Listening" Elsheimer writes "This perception that art is an expression of something moving through us rather than from us is not limited to Christian artists, but Christians are likely to identify the feeling as the Holy Spirit manifesting himself through them. As you write in your daybook, pray that God will reveal himself to you through the words you write." Listening to the Spirit's call and trusting him in living out this call is the focus of the book. 

Throughout the book there are exercises related to Listening, Awakening, Forgiving, Breathing In, Breathing Out, and other chapter titles. I went through the book several years ago, and after pulling it off the bookshelf, I think I'll go through the exercises again. 

Elsheimer writes "If we have been given artistic gifts, the shape of our lives need to include the use of those gifts. God's gifts are not accident: 'Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows' (James 1:17)." 

The book ends with a collection of prayers from saints throughout the ages. I find them poignant and powerful as I thought about how people throughout time have the same longings and desires to connect with God. I have several written out and placed in my Bible for easy reference. Here is a portion of one written by Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536). 

Holy Spirit...

I beseech thee, maintain thy gifts in me,

and increase the things daily,

which thou hast vouchsafed to bestow upon me,

that by thy governance the lusts of the flesh may die

      more and more in me

and the desire of heavenly life more quicken and increase.

Let me so pass through the misty desert of this world 

by thy light going before me...

Lorrie Orr writes from Vancouver Island where she enjoys boating and hiking with her husband. Gardening, sewing, reading, and spending time with her five grandchildren fill her days with happiness and contentment. There is also the writing that always occupies a corner of her brain.

How Do Writing and Faith go Hand-in-Hand? by Sandi Somers

Faith feeds writing and writing feeds faith.

The interconnection between faith and writing is so simple that the answer is, "Spirituality and creativity always go hand-in-hand!" And at the same the topic is so complex that books have been written to engage the intricacies. 

Read these excellent blogs/articles:

“How writing can be a spiritual discipline,” and “11 ways writing has helped me grow” by our own InScriber Pamela Mytroen.

I’m often reminded of the Flannery O’Connor character, Asbury, who said, “The artist prays by creating.” I saw this so clearly this spring when figuring out a complex counselling case and treatment plan. As I wrote, I felt as though my words were a prayer.

Writing has become an outpouring of the growing edge of my relationship with God. God is continually teaching me new things, speaking to me through His Word, concepts I can translate into writing. This in turn opens the way to meet the needs of those who read my writing.

In another area, wrestling with a life/faith issue is an incentive to write. Conversely, while wrestling with a writing issue, I ask God for His guidance. He often answers, “I will help you.”

I’m currently reading the book: The Soul Tells a Story: Engaging Creativity with Spirituality in the Writing Life, by Vinita Hampton Wright. Here are a few quotes and paraphrases which may be an inspiration to you.

·        “Treat your creative and spiritual journeys as one…spirituality and creativity are closely connected.”

·        “Creative work…happens in that interior place where spiritual life forms… Your spiritual beliefs and your creative drive reside in the same place—deep within you where everything important is stored.”

·        “(Your spiritual life) harbors the possibilities for growth, forgiveness, honesty and true change. Often what you are working out creatively is in part an expression of what is happening in your spiritual reality.”

·        “Spirituality can offer depth and direction to creative work…” Your work can become a transcendent story.

·         “Our creative gifts provide means by which to infuse our theology and philosophy with real life.”

·        “Creativity can give to your spirituality the unique stamp that is your personality. This is the story only you can write.”

* * *

Tell us about how faith and writing go hand-in-hand for you. Perhaps these questions will jump-start your thinking.

How intentional am I in developing both my creative and spiritual life and life with God?

What does my life look like when I engage my emotions, senses and spirituality when I write?

Where and how is God nudging me to new opportunities and new challenges in my writing and faith?