refreshing redemption

i went to the movies last night, and watched a really dumb one, which i am embarrassed to endorse (so i won't). however, i did notice an add before the movie that caught my attention because of it's creativity. it made me think that i've been in a bit of a funk creatively speaking, not really seeing the world through new eyes. i'm not sure when or how blindness set in, but i know the sound of darkness and it is "me-centered" thinking. sadly, that's where i've been as holy week arrives--the week commemorating Jesus' long walk to the cross and eventual crucifixion and resurrection. i've been stuck in a pattern of thinking that is more concerned with my own happiness, then the greater good. blech!

the best creativity never seems to be by one individual. certainly there have been incredibly creative individuals, but even their art cannot be showcased without a great engine of teamwork. writers cannot function without editors and publishers. directors cannot function without actors and film crews. songwriters cannot function without promoters and venue owners. and all art relies on an audience to understand and appreciate it's beauty because nothing is created in a vacuum.

today i'm going to spend some time thinking about how Jesus never sought His own self-fulfillment over His Father's plan for everyone--forgiveness. though certainly Jesus carried the cross to calvary, His Father surrounded Jesus with friends and strangers--like Joseph of the cross--who helped Jesus every step of the way. not to mention that in the unseen Jesus' Father was encouraging Jesus in Spirit. Jesus was in constant partnership with others, God and man, and only for a brief moment--which was hell--Jesus was disconnected from community. and the end result of the Father, the Son and the Spirit's teamwork was grace for us all, a new creativity that in church words is called redemption. in other words, God takes something broken, and makes it beautiful.