The awkward silence descends. Everyone fidgets and I begin to hear crickets in the background. The question volleyed into this space of women is “What is your element, how did God make you?”
No one wants to go first. For some it may be that they truly don’t know. Don’t see the worth buried in them, placed there by their maker. For others it may be the awkwardness of listing all your qualities without sounding like you are bragging. After all, we’re Christian ladies abounding in humility, right? And for others it may be that they do know, they do feel that intrinsic gift and are simply doubting the value of their contribution. They’re not sure it really counts. I have felt a little of all these at times.
Emily Freeman wrote a series on her blog, Chatting at the Sky, about art. In one particular post she asks the question “Are you an artist?” My automatic reaction was no. One look at her site and the clean white space, gorgeous photos, and amazing writing and I thought, well obviously she is. But the thought festered in my mind until I had to reconsider the whole question, to which I now answer, “YES, I am.”
My reason for saying no at first was simple. It seemed a lofty title for one who scratches out thoughts on old receipts and blogs when her kids are sleeping, or running around, or climbing on her. It seemed too high a rank for someone like me. Regular. We think if a title like artist is awarded it has to have general consensus. I am an artist if enough relevant people say so. Of course, who the relevant people are is another question entirely. I am an artist if my work gets noticed. Although truthfully, many an artist died with little or no recognition.
It is altogether too presumptuous to give myself that title. Maybe we think that this same phantom rule also applies to our element. We assume that if our talents and passions aren’t recognized or acknowledged they aren’t really meaningful. Maybe they aren’t really there.
It’s rampant in our American church culture. There are the A-list qualities of the Alpha-males to lead, teach, and pastor. These are the anointed men of God who are eloquent, charismatic, and articulate. We tend to follow them and put them on stage or in charge of small groups. We really like them in their element because they are so blatantly obvious. The guy can teach or preach or lead. He’s valuable. And I honestly don’t think there’s anything wrong with them being the way God made them, but sometimes if you are on the B-list or God forbid the C-list, you can feel pretty worthless in comparison. And if there’s anything that can be guaranteed about women, it’s that we constantly fall into comparison.
We’ve all heard the everyone has a part in the body sermon, but do we really value the elbow as much as the mouth or the eyes? If the dude who sweeps up after church doesn’t show up, someone else can do it, but if the pastor is absent you’ve got a problem. After all, it doesn’t take any special talent to sweep a floor.
So when that question is asked ,we feel something deeper. “WHY are you?”
Why am I? I know the why in terms of theology. Glorify God, enjoy Him forever. Got it. But what about the day-to-day?
What about the, Why Alia? Why me, specifically? Have you ever asked this? Don’t you want to know? Not you asking, why Alia , cause that would just be weird, but the why you?
I posed the question about your element in my last post and asked for comments about what yours are. A few people responded on here and I thank you for those. I’m new to blogging so it’s not surprising I didn’t get a lot of comments but what was surprising was that I got quite a few private email responses.
It seems that some people wanted to share but those first few reasons kept them from it. They weren’t sure if their element really counted. They weren’t sure if it made any difference because it was simple and unnoticed. They weren’t sure they even had an element in which to operate. Let me assure you, you do.
It’s not something we necessarily find on our own. I found mine when I released everything that made up my identity. Mine were revealed as I was pursuing God and allowing my identity to be formed in Him. When we are close to our maker, we feel His pleasure in how we are made. We don’t need the general consensus. We don’t need the recognition. We are fully seen just as we are by the only one who truly matters.
Sisters, we shouldn’t be timid about this. It’s not really humble to deny something that is all God’s doing anyway. We don’t boast in ourselves, but in the power of God within us. And if you don’t think your contribution is valuable, if you don’t think you are infinitely special and purposed because it hasn’t been noticed, shrug off those things that repress you and say, “Yes, I am.” I am because He made me.
So, I will say, “Yes, I am an artist,” not because I am read or because I am good but because I express. I express art in my care for my children, my loving of my husband, my hands lifted in worship, in my weaving these words, in my very Alia-ness that God endowed me with. I express Him.
Of course you are always free to email me privately through the contact form but I’d urge you to step out and embrace your you-ness. We give glory to God when we acknowledge His work. As always, I love to hear from you. Share your thoughts. Are you an artist?
I linked up with Anne and other bloggers at:
Ah yes. I’m so glad you came to this – feeling pleasure in how you are made. Lovely.
emily freeman recently posted..making the most of creative time
Thanks for stopping by Emily. I love your blog and have been really inspired by all your posts on creativity and art, and of course your beautiful photos. Your last post on creative time is beautiful and poignant. If there wasn’t freezing frost on the ground outside I think I would go stare at the sky today.
Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment.
My “you-ness” has been known to offend people.
That should probably bother me…
Not necessarily. I have some dear friends that seem to ruffle feathers sometimes but honestly, I think it’s just a lack of understanding and miscommunication all around. I think if someone finds you offensive, you have to ask God is there some sin, some habit, or way of treating people that is not right with Him? If so, then by all means repent for it and try to be in good relationship. But if you find that after searching your heart, you are not in sin, then rock on sister. Sometimes people aren’t going to like you. I find that if I have done my part as much as possible to be at peace with everyone, and they still don’t like me, that’s something they have to deal with. After all, I am fabulous, they must just have really bad taste. LOL
To be honest, it often completely takes me by surprise! I don’t know quite how to quantify my giftings, my passions. I think I tend to let myself be too Vulcan and squish the parts of me that feel. I know I am most happy when I am all alone. Is my “gifting” solitude?
Years ago, at a womens retreat, I had the epiphany of having “no apology” for doing what I believed God was calling me to at that moment. That, coupled with my life motto, courtesy of Elizabeth Elliot, “Do the thing you fear.” has sometimes made me a bull in a china closet.
I
…I hate hitting post to quickly….
I find it easy to look backward and see who I was. I was fearful. I was at large and in charge. I was successful. I wasn’t.
Seeing who I am? How does one separate what you DO from who you ARE? I wear many hats. That is not who I am.
I love being around people who are deliberate enough in their world to know the difference and who aren’t afraid to show themselves as the true individuals God created them to be.
I tend to “suffer” over not having a talent/hobby that is visible. Some people make quilts or garden or decorate. I’m good at teaching. It disappears into the air, except for invisible pieces that, hopefully, stay with those I might teach.
I used to think “anyone can teach”. Over the last years, I’ve realized that anyone can get better at teaching, but God did gift me to be good at it. I enjoy it. It energizes me. I love to improve. It’s “me”. Sometimes, though, I think the sweeper and diaper changer are really the ones with greater honor (think about how important they REALLY are!).
And I’m so glad you do have that gift because we benefit from it.
and I’ve seen you with those kids, you are definitely in your element. As far as the sweeper and the diaper changer, I couldn’t agree more. My mother and husband both have these behind the scenes servant giftings that often go unnoticed in our culture and I find it hard that sometimes they can seem displaced. Because your so right, to be great in God’s Kingdom we are to be a servant of all, and I find their contributions invaluable.
Brooke, it seems to me that you have the a unique ability to translate mere knowledge into attainable and retainable information. Not just when teaching little ones (which you do well and with the gift of enthusiasm) but also when helping others work through complex and often complicated (read: easily misunderstood and riotable) issues.
You ask questions that are all too often left unasked and you are faithful with what you know. This element of your “you-ness”, which I’m sure has not always been valued, is one of the reasons I am immensely thankful for your participation in my life.
So there.
Hello! I just discovered you through the MOB Society link on FB, followed it to your blog and this post. The two posts I’ve read by you have encouraged and spoken deeply to me. Thank you. I love the MOB post about coming alongside your son so he knows you’re in this with him–I so needed that reminder too.
This post confirms what I’ve learned about myself over the past year or so. I am a writer–whether or not anyone else reads my words, I must write. As Max Lucado coins it, it’s my “sweet spot.” And finally after cowing to the voice of Fear for too many years, I took the plunge and started a blog last month–www.thewordweaver.com . It feels wonderful to be writing for publication again. It brings me joy and completion.
Thank you for sharing your heart!
Deb Weaver recently posted.."Winter Day Rest"
Deb, Thanks so much for visiting. I am glad you found your “sweet spot” as well.
Even though I have never gotten recognition or looked for it , I consider myself an artist. I love to craft, paint, draw, write, sing. I do it just because I love to. I display my art work and give my crafts as gifts. I took singing lessons as a child and sang in the choir. All these things fill me with peace and joy. My family and friends enjoy my gifts and my children love to see my newest art work. As far as I know my neighbors havnt complained about my sining. lol.
I must admit dt i so much apreciate the aticle…i my selfe, am hapy 2 be an artist. C’est vrement bien d’etre un artist.
Thank you Alia… this confirms for me – I am who God created me to be and that it is sufficient – having said that I believe that He created me to write – to take my thoughts, His words and combine them for His purpose – I work at my day job – but I live and breathe words. There are days when doubt rises fearful in me – but I hold fast the fact that I have been fearfully and wonderfully made and cowering/hiding from my purpose does not serve God. So if one person reads or 10,000 people read it doesn’t matter – I am serving God’s purpose. So thank you! You are a gift!
Tonya Salomons recently posted..Thankful