Parts 1 & 2 of “Creating” are really all about getting “me”…my ego, shadow, wounds, out of the way so there is space for God to work. If I don’t make space for God…I’m stuck and ****ed…a place I’m all too familiar with. So, I pray and clear my mind of all things consuming me…bills, mortgage, work, boss, mother in-law, worry, fear and anger…and open myself up to God and say “Okay, God, tell me what to do.” This is where things get a bit messy. I may not like what God is showing me. I may see things differently. I might push back. I might not see anything at all. I might see more than I expected. I might be shown a mirror…usually indicating I’ve failed to fully clear my mind of my own struggles and worries or judgments. Either way, God is speaking to me…and it’s not like God speaks and I take notes…it’s fuzzy and I have to feel into my gut to know what’s true and what’s just me.

When I’m at the warehouse, and once God’s light has been shed on what that night’s worship creation might look like, it’s time to get started. If I’m just sitting there thinking, I’m probably not listening to anything other than myself “thinking.” So, “Doing” is where the magic happens. Movement is where God steps in and takes over and uses the body as a tool for whatever creation God wants. My friend Matthew modeled this for me so, so many times. He just flows with what he feels and amazing and magical creations are born…he makes it look easy…and yes, that’s annoying. I, on the other hand, spend more time in the struggle…listening and fighting and feeling and questioning before my body starts to move. I think about people’s safety and if this creation will be dangerous to the people coming to worship or the building we worship in…because my wife is physically challenged / handicapped…and I don’t want her or anyone else tripping or getting hurt in any way…but I have to be careful to not let that get in the way…it’s just another worry, right? One tool I use to help me get centered or distracted enough from my own worries is music. Music brings me out of my adult and into my child…that place where it’s safe…and fun. Having fun while I create…it’s when I know God’s in it. God may, and often does, speak to me through the music…and this freaks me out, btw.

Journey is different than most churches in that I/we don’t need permission to do something. If God is calling me to move a truck into the center of the worship space…well, I just do it. The boss is God…not Rick. I don’t think too many people understand or believe this truth about Journey. And, if a church has to give you permission to follow God…well, you’re screwed and might want to think about finding another church…or just get over yourself and stop waiting for someone to give you permission to be the child of God you are. If you believe in yourself, then you believe in God…I’m not sure it works the other way around. I know a lot of people who believe in God but can’t get past their own fears in order to move fully into what God is calling them into. I have a deep sadness for people who have been told by The Church that they can’t do something without the blessing of the church or its leaders…that lie makes me want to vomit. So, be free in the child of God you are…fight for your freedom to live the life you were born to live…laugh when you want to…cry when you feel like it…and call bull**** on bull**** …and let them crucify you…cuz they will…and you’ll live. 

Okay, sorry…got caught up in some old wounds there…my bad. So, let’s talk about how to create…ready? I got nothin’…seriously, I can’t create for you…can’t tell you how to do it or what to use…but I can tell you that the only thing keeping you from creating is you. If you see it or feel it…you can create it…and it doesn’t have to look like you think. Sometimes an image of God flowing into the world with love and grace looks like a toilet being flushed…representing God removing the wounds and fear we carry like a shield to protect our hearts. It most often, or always, looks different than I think or expect. So go for it…just do it…get your Nikes on and run, Forrest!

Now it sounds like I’m joking, but I’m not. If you are feeling called to get in touch with your creative side…all you have to do is do it. Take that first step and trust in something greater than yourself. You’ll be okay…you’ll be better than okay…you’ll be alive…and that’s good…right?