I'M SUPPOSED TO DIE FOR THAT?

Beginning with the obvious, Jesus was willing to die for what he loved. "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:13)" That's an important part of living out my destiny—dying for it. But, hang on a minute, Jesus's destiny was the salvation of the whole human race, past, present and future. I'm just a writer. I'm just trying to make my living by doing what I love. I'm supposed to die for that?

Well, first of all, there have been times and places in human history when artists were persecuted to the point of death, simply for being artists. Secondly, dying for something and being willing to die for it are not necessarily the same thing, and third, YES. But since we live in a relatively free country where freedom of expression is protected, I find it helpful to go back to the metaphorical value of the Jesus story. There are lots of ways to die.

And they don't all involve winding up dead. In fact most of them don't. The act of creating involves lots of little deaths, little sacrifices that result in new life: a painting, a photograph, a story, a family. The death and resurrection of Jesus, even taken metaphorically, offer the ultimate illustration of this basic, natural dynamic. Getting up early is like dying for some people. But what if that's the only time I have to build my dream? Then I guess dying is what it takes. 

I have to be willing to die.

Ever forward.

Posted via web from Ever Forward