(More) On creativity
Sundays for me are different than they used to be, mostly because we now attend church services in the evening rather than in the morning.
Creativity is something that is nurtured, not manufactured. The problem with “creative” work is that, well, it’s still work.
Rest of American Christian World: You’re missing out.
It’s 2:50 p.m. as of this writing, and I’ve got another couple hours of relaxing to do before church begins. And since my wife is away and my kids are napping, I’ve returned to the dreaded athletic club ads and found within myself a new ray of light.
Creativity is something that is nurtured, not manufactured. And the problem with “creative” work is that, well, it’s still work — there are deadlines and colleagues and time constraints and all that. So a Sunday out of the office, with fresh air and peace and quiet, may be making all the difference.
It’s a struggle, though. Ever since the days of Foxhole, I’ve been fighting — with myself, my family, my employers — for more of this peace and quiet; my soul is truly soothed by time alone, and it’s time I get little of. In order to get it, I either have to plan meticulously (Shelley is quite the planner and takes offense at my natural tendency not to give a second thought to her wishes or plans to be spontaneous) or else just say “screw it,” do it and deal with the consequences later. And with two jobs and two kids, it’s just something I’m having to get used to not having.
Which makes me thankful for the new job: It gives me a creative outlet even during the workday, and the wonderful office I inhabit offers places for quiet contemplation. In theory, at least. But there are too many irons in the fire this minute, and the quality of my thoughts is suffering because of it.
So, I guess what I mean to say is this: Remember the sabbath, and keep it restful. Yes, I’m thinking about work… but my sins are forgiven. Right?
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 at 1.04 pm and is filed under marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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August 4th, 2009 at 6.40 am
I think the reason the rest of Christendom worships the Lord on Sunday morning is because, historically, the liturgical day begins at sunset. So Sunday evening is in essence the beginning of the next day – i.e. the Lord’s Day has passed. Furthermore, every Sunday is a little Easter, celebrating the Resurrection of our God. Christ was shone to have risen Sunday morning, so this is when we celebrate it.
I’m tempted to say that while worshiping on Sunday evenings may be certainly more convenient in this society, it blurs the link with the historical Church for comfort’s sake. But I won’t say it.
August 4th, 2009 at 6.46 am
Really? Do we have to be so literal? To me it’s like having a kid’s birthday party at 1 a.m. on a Tuesday because, well, that’s when he was actually born. I mean, I guess having church on Sunday night is a little, um, unorthodox? Heh heh.
But hey, it’s certainly not for comfort’s sake, especially during football season, right? Most peeps can get back home from church just in time for the games, while I’ve got to leave right in the middle of them!
August 4th, 2009 at 7.01 am
BTW: “I’m tempted to say [fill in the blank] but I won’t say it” is the oldest and dumbest trick in the book! Shame, shame.
August 4th, 2009 at 10.24 am
Rather than simply maintaining a literal understanding of Christ’s historical resurrection, worshiping on Sunday morning can be an intentional adhering to an historical and biblical continuity of life and faith from the Beginning. Of course, Christ is risen! and we all who worship Him live in that present reality, and so every day is to be spent in remembrance of this truth. Nevertheless, Sunday provides an element of mystical historicity that no other day provides, for we must remember that Christ is risen, indeed! and he rose on this day – a day which bore witness to the fulfillment and restoration of all hope for renewal – and so Sunday is transfigured to the Day of days, from the first day to the eighth day, which even has inaugurated the Last Day.
Of course, we don’t have to adhere to this, and there are certainly reasons why Christians in a given time and place, under given circumstances, might forego Sunday morning worship for another time. But every circumstance is not equally weighted (think of the SDAs, for instance), and what exactly are we giving up to gain by disregarding ancient tradition for common caprice? Ultimately, do we not go from saying, “We do things this way because we believe this,” to “Ancient Christians did things that way because they believed that”? (This is a sentiment I heard countless times at Sojourn.)
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not trying to harp on your parish practices. I suspect you have your reasons. But we shouldn’t think the rest of Christendom (not merely American Christianity) impoverished because it doesn’t have Sunday mornings free to do as it pleases.
On a lighter note, it’s good to hear you’re finding some tranquil moments. Those are all too few in my own life these days, and I find I don’t remember one day from the next, oftentimes, for the pace with with I speed through them.
I’ll be praying for you guys. I think you may have a hell of a storm coming your way.