This past Sunday in worship we were asked the question, “what is the opposite of war?” and before I could even think of the standard response of “peace,” we were offered a refreshing response, “art is the opposite of war.” Art. Art… How does this work? The pastor continued, “the opposite of destruction is creativity.” Well of course. I rather like this way of thinking.
Perhaps this is why I have a need to create, to engage in some kind of creative expression, especially when my life feels chaotic or out of control. Whether it’s something as simple as arranging flowers, or cooking a meal, or singing, or getting help to rearrange furniture, life seems a little more manageable after a creative activity.
And what if we, collectively, considered this on a larger scale? What if there were bumper stickers and billboards that said, “Art is the opposite of war?” Without sounding too naive, what if, instead of sending truckloads of arms bearing ammunition, we sent truckloads of grandmas and grandpas bearing arms that were ready to embrace and cook and draw with children and plant gardens and help carry water and build homes? What if we could think outside the box and creatively respond to the deep needs of the world? I know that there are many who are already doing this, I just wish their stories made the headlines more often.
What stories do you know of where creativity reigns? How have you experienced the power of art in whatever form it takes?
Creatively, The Alchemist
Great stuff!
Whatever violence is, it is not creative. Creativity begats life; violence begats violence. Repetitive destruction is never artistic, creative, peaceful, or warranted.
Peace,
Milton
love this!! i appreciate your including “rearranging furniture” in the creative realm. i have had difficulty with writing lately (my principal creative outlet…or so i thought) and have been doing what i call “puttering.” after reading your post, i feel quite creative and can see why i do feel better after putting some order into chaos. Thank you!
Thanks Milton and Lucy!
Milton, perhaps the mission trip for and with the youth provides a creative expression that they can return to again and again throughout their lives.
Lucy, I remember when writing papers or sermons and feeling stuck I would often wash dishes or fold laundry or pull weeds- putting some order into chaos so I could proceed again.
Blessings!
Yes, bringing order to chaos can be very creative, and thus, therapeutic! DH HATES changing things around, and feels like his world is upside down and unsafe. Meanwhile, I LOVE changing/rearranging things. I need to keep it fresh and new. That’s part of a dilemma we’ve battled for years…how my strength can complete his weakness and vice versa, in this area. 12 years into our marriage, we have no great answers yet. But, when we do something creative together, it helps, it soothes, it renews. Gardening does that for us. And some areas are safe for me to rearrange at whim.
Poetry was most definitely the opposite of the “war of (abuse) recovery” for me. It was my outlet, my safety valve, my re-creation from the ashes of the past.
I will sit with this for a while…it fits in ways I can’t yet verbalize, just a deep down sense of knowing! I’ll also take it back to Immersion in a couple of weeks. Thanks for this, Cathleen!
Karla, I had no idea that “rearranging furniture” would strike such a strong chord as both you and Lucy responded to it. And thanks for sharing your story of poetry as the creative healing. Give my love to Trish when you see her at the next Immersion; I don’t remember if I told you that she and I met when I lived in Iowa. What a rich experience Immersion must be!! Blessings, Cathleen
“The opposite of war is not peace. It’s creation.”
This means that in war man destroys. So the opposite of destruction is creation. This is why this quote is true.