Anthem

When I was little, I believed I was, and always would be, an artist. I don't really know why I gave up on that belief as I approached adulthood.  I floundered and flopped my way back to very, very self conscious attempts at art in college... and off and on throughout my twenties.

And now, midway through my thirties, 

I am finally ready to be whatever kind of artist I am, without worry over whether or not its good.

 Just a humble offering from a willing servant. 

The old voices and old ways (perpetual failure and doubt) want to worm their way back in. 
 I hear them and then tell them: they have no power over me anymore:
My God is a Creator and He made me in His image.

 I may never be a famous or good artist, but I can paint, and I am a child of God.
I have something to offer.

Can I tell you how Leonard Cohen helps me through my doubtful and worried moments? The ones where I feel... this is stupid. I hate this. I give up.  (How many artists put on music to create? I am sure many. All?) I put on music and play the same songs over and over. Leonard Cohen makes me want to move to Paris. I get lost in his poetic and moody lyrics. Two of his songs, in particular, push me beyond myself and help to move me forward (to refuse to be stagnant/stuck or even worse-- look backwards) during, this, my renaissance of creativity. 

The first is Anthem...

"Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. 

There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

  

There is no perfect offering. 

Now, Cohen is Jewish, but so was Jesus. This song, I feel it so spiritually. We are flawed and cracked beyond our own ability to repair. But the Light of the World pours in through those cracks and makes us whole and useful.

  

Whatever it is that you have to offer, it will never be perfect.
 But please, make your offering.

Lay it at the feet of the Lord
and be at peace.

More on the second song soon...