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In reading “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains“, one of the many things he discusses is the extreme lack of boredom most of us face in our daily living.  Overstimulated, our brains yearn to be unplugged or at the very least to read something printed on paper that doesn’t offer us the option to click a link to a connected article.

There was a quote of similar position in the most recent “Parents” magazine, that talked about the need children have for a bit more boredom in their life, as it leads to important developments in imagination and creativity.  Don’t pile 20 toys in front of a kid, they’ll only get overwhelmed.  Give them 1, and allow them to make the fun last by discovering all the new ways that thing can be played with.

It reminds me of a quote I discussed with some of our leaders recently, from the movie “Ratatouille”.  The main rat was explaining to his brother why he loved humans, and he says something to the effect of, “Humans don’t merely survive, they CREATE!!”  He wants to create also, and falls in love with creating new taste experiences, etc.  Great movie.

His line offers something for us to think about as people who have been created by God, and in the image of God.  It’s something to chew on, and it’s tune is noticeable behind all the random poems/spoken words/things I’ve been writing/recording lately.  In following Christ, and worshiping a creative God who has made us in His image…ironically we often find ourselves in the position of consumer.  It’s easy to stay there.  God Himself is working to remedy that problem, and in the meantime invites us to experience that remedy.

To join in His creative work in making all things New.  To have our very existence be something that yields creative fruits.  Not simply “things to sell”, or “things to check off a list”.  Not even something that we can bring to a Christian “show-and-tell” every week.  But to make sure that our lives are involved in expressing who we are, who God is, and what beauty there is in the “Creation being made New”…thereby giving worship to God.

Which brings another element into the picture.  This isn’t merely talking about grabbing a canvas and tossing paint onto it.  Though that may happen.  This isn’t talking about crafting a poem with meter and rhyme.  Though it may be that.  Not about perfecting a new recipe, but it might taste like it.  Not talking about sculpting a masterpiece, though you might.  You get the picture.  There is something eternal and “from God” that I’m referring to here.  From/involving/to God, and all of a sudden this temporal creation takes on meaning beyond where moth and rust destroy.

One could even go so far as to agree with the rat….if we are merely consuming, we are not “being” human as God intends.  Which begs the question…what will you create this week?  Not just fitting “Peg A” into “Slot A”, but something that actually fires the synapses involved in creative activity, connecting us to a God who created all things in the beginning, and is renewing all things even now.  Where will you join with God in bringing about a bit of Kingdom beauty/living? 

We got our new articles of clothing all washed and tags removed.
Got our required reading materials, and subscriptions to appropriate learning magazines renewed.
We got internet speeds approaching way to fast, and stacks of mousepads to burn.
And we haven’t forgotten what we learned last year, at least what we really learned.

We’ll zip the bags so tightly packed, our shoulders unforgiving.
And walk through halls filled with might-be friends, and we all pretend we’re living.
The lives we want with t-shirts on that tell you where we bought ’em.
Except for those who snuck around in salvation army’s where no one caught ’em.

“Nice shirt” you’ll say, “thanks you too” they respond – a high five lifestyle as you run through another turnstyle.
Just another number on a locker that got cleaned out last May.
And will get cleaned out again.

But Christ offers much more for how you begin.

Shed the brands, the fads, the knowledge that allows you to be in the know.
No staying up late nights making sure you keep up with the informational and social flow.
No more status quo.

You’re free.  Free to wear the air-brush t-shirt your grandma bought you in Orlando.
Free to sit by the kids you thought look interesting but didn’t wanna risk being labeled cool-aphobe.
Free to go to bed when your body needs sleep, and free to eat what keeps you healthy.
Free to trip on your own left foot, free to sneeze, and free to not be stealthy.

Free to be human, in need of God, a God who is constantly forming.
His identity in your being again, and the creation around you is storming
Like thunder clouds before it hits, and buzz and anticipation, a positive mess
You’re free to unplug from the stereotypical beginning of another year, living wireless.

Free from pretending to be flattered when he’s says something unflattering.
Free from having to compliment her body when there’s other things more mattering.
Free to treat the people around you like their made in the image of God
Free to live according to the Kingdom that’s coming even though you’ll be labeled odd.

And don’t translate it into becoming cool in some sort of Christian hip sub-culture.
Jesus didn’t come to start new trends, he came and submitted to torture.
He loved in a way that let go of what the world thought he should be.
And the best way to start school this year, is to accept that He’s made you free…