tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22560219.post114782135029307601..comments2023-12-07T20:31:28.197-05:00Comments on Islands of Joy: Art for faith or faith for art?Sørina Higginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10907200327850346539noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22560219.post-1148064105562016362006-05-19T13:41:00.000-05:002006-05-19T13:41:00.000-05:00Wow, what a powerful and honest and self-aware con...Wow, what a powerful and honest and self-aware confession!<BR/><BR/>The desire for experience of God as a means to some other end is an age-old temptation that the classic writers of Christian spirituality often speak of. I must confess that I often spend my time reading what other writers say about their own spiritual experiences instead of experiencing God myself. Lately I've been aware of and disturbed by my frequent unwillingness to submit to God. But I wondered why I'm even concerned about that. Is it because of the blessings that come to one who is willing to submit to God (e.g., life seems to go more smoothly), or is it simply because I love Him? I fear it is more the former than the latter. Then I worry that I'm trying to prove how humble and "spiritual" I am by how good I am at recognizing my own sinfulness. Ugh! It never ends.<BR/><BR/>Fortunately, I am told that those of us who worry about such things are on the right path already and needn't worry. The closer we draw to God, the more we are aware of our own sinfulness in comparison to Him, so this constant analyzing our own failings must be a sign that we are drawing near to Him. (Or is it? Aren't those who are really close to Him freed from this need to self-criticize?). I'm reminded of Martin Luther's confessor telling him to stop worrying about all his pecadillos, which is part of what led Luther to recognize that he was saved by <I>grace</I>.<BR/><BR/>Nonetheless, I do think it is a valid concern, that you not try to gain more spiritual experiences and knowledge just to turn them into poetry. It is right for your poetry to be a spontaneous response to the experiences of God you are given, but as long as you recognize that they are entirely up to Him to give you when and how He desires, and they don't come by any effort of your own, you'll be OK.<BR/><BR/>I wonder whether it is part of the artistic temperament to be more aware of our own sinfulness and down on ourselves (or even depressed) about it? I have had discussions about this with artistic friends of mine, and it's a common thread.Rosie Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09554035581795923555noreply@blogger.com