Creation Stories Shape How to Be Creative

Everyone once in a while I am struck by reading various individual pieces all talking about very similar things. This past week such an event took place. First I was reading from E.F. Schumaker's Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered (1973, 2010) in which he speaks of the human need to be creative, to use both the mind and our hands. Here's the quote:

The question of what technology actually does for us is therefore worthy of investigation. It obviously greatly reduces some kinds of work while it increases other kinds. The type of work which modern technology is most successful in reducing or even eliminating is skilful, productive work of human hands, in touch with real materials of one kind it another. In advanced industrial society, such work has become exceedingly rare, and to make a decent living by doing such has become virtually impossible. A great part of the modern neurosis may be due to this very fact; for the human being, defined by Thomas Aquinas as a being with brains and hands, enjoys nothing more than to be creatively, usefully, productively engaged with both his hands and his brains. Today, a person has to be wealthy to be able to enjoy this simple thing, this very great luxury: he has to be lucky enough to find a good teacher and plenty of free time to learn and practice. He really had to be rich enough not to need a job; for the number of jobs that would be satisfactory in these respects is very small indeed (pg. 158, italics are my addition).

Where do we look for chances to be creative? What does our creativity look like?

Then, Friday's meditation by Richard Rohr was regarding creation. In this meditation he spoke of how Rob Bell shared with a gathering the Babylonian creation story. This story is one of violence, carnage and destruction. In all likelihood, the Genesis Creation stories (there are at least two) were written down from their oral traditions during the Babylonian captivity. As such, they would have been exposed to the Babylonian creation story, and used them to shape their own theological understanding of how Yahweh was/is at work. In the process, Bell invited the continuing education participates to see how the Genesis creation story in built upon love, joy and creativity. It is built upon non-violence and loving relationship.

Being created in God's image, how do we create? How do we engage others, ourselves, and the world? 

Fairly soon (if not already) the projects commence on our boats. How will we be actively engaged?

Here's to creativity springing forth from love and joy,

Blessed be

Joel