Sometimes we hesitate to step out creatively because of rejection. A few quotes from Alice Bass, author of The Creative Life bears this out:

“We love to create, long to create, strain to create something that expresses our soul. But the minute we step out, we know we are inviting misunderstanding and rejection.”

“But God invites us to be led in triumphal procession through life. By our offerings we can be the fragrant aroma of Christ to God and to his people.”

Not everything I write is received the way I’d like. But I still hope to spread His sweet aroma through humble offerings. As God inspires me and opens doors, truth is often rejected. Time after time, I learn not to take these things personally.

Tell me, have you ever experienced rejection because of your message? How did you respond? Writing is a bit risky. And yet for me personally, Isaiah 61:1-3 holds such wonderful reasons to press on in His strength:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

“Throughout the world sounds one long cry from the heart of the artist, ‘Give me the chance to do my very best.’” ~ From the movie, Babette’s Feast

In recent years, few films have really held my attention. Fewer still have left a lasting imprint. Those that do, ignite my heart with renewed passion for the arts while stirring my sensibilities.

One such story - a Danish film from 1987 - does this. It’s quaint, artistic, endearing. Without a doubt, it’s laced with rich spiritual symbolism - things I didn’t always catch the first time. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but the beauty of Babette’s Feast is how each of us can come away with an entirely different take. You’ll have to admit, it’s eye-opening, even heartrending, but finally elevating. I love a movie that makes us think, explore, and appreciate.

Go here to read Wikipedia’s synopsis.

I see overlapping threads in the movie - of the human condition, of course, but also mercy in spite of our choices, longing for excellence vs. the status quo, sacrificial living yet legalism, acetism/aesthetics, and looking so much to the future that we miss the present. Mostly, I see g-r-a-c-e. At times my face ached with joy. When Babette spends her entire lottery fortune to create a culinary masterpiece for these staunch, rural believers - folks who consider anything but drab boiled fish a waste - a thought struck me. God’s grace is lavish. He reaches out to us continuously to provide for us when we least deserve or recognize it. How often, then, have we merely tolerated our earthly existence while counting on Heaven, when Christ longs to be life to us, here and now?

The movie’s powerful quotes speak to the human soul, such as the General’s speech during the sumptuous meal:

“We have all of us been told that grace is to be found in the universe. But in our human foolishness and shortsightedness we imagine divine grace to be finite … But the moment comes when our eyes are opened, and we see and realize that grace is infinite. Grace, my friends, demands nothing from us but that we shall await it with confidence and acknowledge it in gratitude.”

His revelation falls on deaf ears; at least they don’t understand. They eat, repressing any compliment of the meal they’re served, considering it all excess. They determined ahead of time to speak only of the old dean’s sermons whose memory they celebrate. Strange, isn’t it?

But restraint gives way to grace because it’s irresistable. Something curious begins. While Babette gives of herself utterly and freely, pouring out her gifts and talents, she expects nothing in return. And our hearts swell to witness such a gentle reawakening of everything good. ♥

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17

Have you seen Babette’s Feast? What other parallels did you find?

“As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Peter 2:4-5

We put so many demands on ourselves trying to be creative. But God invites us to partake of Him, the very Source of life and creativity.

The focus today is Christ. Not only does He lift me out of a slimy pit, He sets my feet on a rock. Not only does He cause me to bear fruit in every good work, He accomplishes more than all I ask or imagine.

Are we humbly focused on Him?

What have you asked or imagined?

“The Christian artist’s dream is to create art so beautiful, so compelling that it will attract and move people towards Jesus.” ~ Charlie Peacock

“The purpose of a creative life is to delight in the abundant life in Christ and to offer your expression in service back to him, for the glory of God and the building up of his people.” ~ Alice Bass

“The Christian life is not one of replication. We cannot reproduce the life of Christ in us. Instead, we submit ourselves to him and ask him to live his life in us.” ~ Alice Bass, The Creative Life

“If writing books can be compared to having babies, there were two births on this leave. And, like a mother rejoices over her newborn children—and the end of labor—I rejoice over finishing these books.” ~ John Piper, Pastor, Author

Recently John Piper thanked his staff and congregration for understanding his need to get away to write. As it turns out, he “gave birth” to twin books. Piper tells us: “There are are five similarities between the gestation and birth of these books and the experience of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.”

As a Christian writer, I appreciate Piper’s Gospel-tethered writing. I appreciate, too, that he acknowledges the difficult beginning stages of writing:

“You stare at a mountain of notes and sermons and articles and journal entries and blogs and scraps of paper, and the thought of it ever coming together in a coherent book seems impossible.”

Ah, but like Piper we pray. Then we write, write, and write some more - the “pushing” stage.

“Being too self-conscious about style will get in the way of thinking clearly. One must be who one is. You can go back and clean it up in an hour or two,” Piper reminds us. Good advice.

Writing styles may vary, but we have the same Spirit, enabling both the labor and the birth.

To read Piper’s letter in its entirety, please go here: An Open Letter of Thanks

It’s a sedentary life - this writing business.

Sometimes we take on more than we can handle, grueling at the computer for hours, neglecting our health.

While our fingers get a daily workout, our legs, backside, and brain seem to suffer. Could writer’s block be the body’s plea to stretch and move?

Feeling stiff? Sluggish? Unproductive? Give yourself a break. Switch gears. Load some laundry and knock the dust off that treadmill. Better yet, get outside and take a quick stroll. What you lose in writing minutes you’ll gain in concentration. And don’t be surprised if these regular bursts of exercise - even the smallest amounts - cause you to flourish.

A fit writer is better focused, motivated, and healthy. Amazing what a little oxygen can do for mind, body, and mood - not to mention our manuscripts!