Tribes of Creators: part 2
The world’s culture of ‘consuming’ is similar to its culture of ‘destroying’ in that it undermines the intended culture of God’s People – a culture of ‘creating’ and ‘redeeming.’
In his book “Art + Faith”, painter Makoto Fujimura lays out the adverse relationship between ‘consuming’ and ‘creating’.
Makoto begins by showing how God creates out of excess – not out of need. His creating is always an act of love, and a gift.
Mako tells his reader true creativity and creating are always grounded in love. Always excessive, extravagant and – for many – may even seem a waste of time, energy, or money.
Creating is an act of taking from one’s own, in order to generate a gift for another.
Consuming, though, feeds on itself and runs wild when concerns about “want” or “need” become the language of our hearts. A culture of consuming is nourished by fears that we may never achieve, receive, get, or master the things we want or feel we “deserve”. A ‘consumer’ sets to scheming – sacrificing time, energy, and money trying to obtain its desires cheaper or faster. When our schemes don’t work we become depressed, angry, ungrateful, insecure…
Even immaterial things – our desire for ‘authority’ or to ‘receive love’ – can become a selfish fixation. We bend all our effort to get these – rather than offering them to others.
‘Consuming culture’ obsesses over how to obtain the next thing, for fear of not having more or better.
‘Creation culture’ is preoccupied with making beauty and goodness out of what appears ordinary. It loves giving good gifts.
When we stop making,
we become enslaved to market culture as mere consumers.
– Makoto Fujimura
Sarah and I give our children toys which encourage ‘creating’. Often, on a birthday or Christmas, our children will open a gift, take everything out of the box, and what falls out alongside the directions? A catalogue.
We began to notice how our children would set aside the new toy in order to page through this booklet picturing everything they don’t yet have. Greed taking root in place of gratitude, joy, and creative play.
Mako sets up a simple equation – helping us to discern the symptoms of which culture is taking root in our homes:
Culture of Creating = Culture of Love
Culture of Consuming = Culture of Fear
When you notice yourself or your family living in fear or obsessing over ‘getting’ and ‘having’, divert them toward alternatives focused on 'making' and 'gift-giving'… creating.
What your eyes are intent on will either “illuminate” all of you or “darken” all of you.
Therefore, don’t be like the man who obsesses over things for himself and is not generative – especially generative toward God.
No one can serve two masters. Eventually you will end up devoting yourself to the one, and ignoring the other. This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about getting or having enough.
Can you add anything to life by worrying about these things?
Don't obsess about these things like idolaters. Your Father in heaven knows you need them. But He delights – He wants – to show you how you can receive the whole Kingdom!
Seek that Kingdom – first and foremost. Live in its culture of generosity: making gifts, being a gift, and giving gifts. Be interested in imitating Him – He is the definition of right-ness – and you will find that what you need, especially what you really need, will be provided by Him.
– Luke 12:20-34 and Matthew 6:22-34 (paraphrased)