HINGES OF HISTORY AND CATALYTIC CREATIVITY
We are walking mirrors, every one of us. When the heart and mind of the Godhead first decreed the creation of humankind, He purposed that man—both male and female—would bear the Image of the beautiful One who inhabits eternity.[1] With this holy dignity came a profound burden of responsibility; to align our affections and allegiances with anything other than our Maker, our “Source,”[2] is more than simple “sin,” to “miss the mark” as if your arrow flew past the target and you could shoot another one instead. It is treason. This is why “the wages of sin are death.”[3] Violations of goodness and justice may not dwell alongside the truth they determined by word and deed to forfeit forever.
Golgotha’s criminal execution of the Son of Man, then, was a justice initiative spearheaded by the Father, Son, and Spirit of the Godhead in perfect unison. The shattered mirrors, bearing distorted images and propagating falsehoods since exile from Eden, would be restored and conformed into the Image of the Nazarene.[4] What a glorious redemption—promoting Image-bearers to those who bear the Name of the LORD through an irrevocable, everlasting covenant.[5] Scripture’s earliest pages make it clear to us: this is not a privilege that can be taken lightly.[6]
For those of us wired for the abstract, we love the idea of being made by the Maker. We appreciate being created by the Creator. Through the dignity of being purposed in mind and fashioned by hand,[7] we are empowered to make and create in the same way. But I wonder if we are taking ourselves as seriously as we should be—if we are taking ourselves, Artists & Creatives who bear the Image and Name of the LORD, as seriously as our own Creator does.
In one of human history’s first watershed moments, the Maker of Heaven and Earth birthed a nation through the fire of deliverance and led them through the waters and wilderness for four decades—purging them from the offense and unbelief that had fermented for four centuries[8]—and made Himself viscerally present day-to-day. A pillar led Abraham’s sons and daughters, as a fire in the night to warm their bodies and illuminate their steps, and a cloud to provide shade during daytime hours of scorching sun.[9] As His Presence met, kept, and counseled Moses to shepherd this wild flock into their destiny, He did something perhaps particularly unexpected: He delivered blueprints for the construction of a gorgeous Tabernacle wherein He would visibly dwell. The glory of God was made manifest in a place designed intentionally to mirror His tabernacle in the heavens above.[10] Consider this:
The Lord also spoke to Moses: “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled artisan in order to make all that I have commanded you.”[11]
Hinges of history are remembered with nostalgia, but they usually inflict whiplash when they’re happening. Consider how opposed the nation of Israel was to their own deliverance, how much they complained—or how quickly and easily their finite hearts turned to idols.[12] Do we think we are any different? As we barrel towards the Day of the LORD,[13] we are entering our own hinge—one that will transition the ages from “evil”[14] to “genesis again.”[15] The restoration of all things.[16] If you bear the Image & Name of the LORD, you are “obliged”[17] to bear the Message of the LORD—and I believe the Creator of all has “appointed by name” Artists & Creatives to bear beautiful witness to the “blessed hope”[18] that is the return and reign of the Man Christ Jesus, the Better Beautiful.
May we “speak as we ought to speak,”[19] “all things to all men everywhere, that by all means we might save some.”[20] Artists & Creatives were never exempt from the faithful stewardship of the Gospel of the Kingdom that disciples Image Bearers into affection for, adoration of, and allegiance to King Jesus. We were never exempt from making disciples. In fact, I submit we bear a greater burden of responsibility for these things in light of the gifts given to us—indeed, “to whom much is given, much will be required.”[21]
We are WALKING MIRRORS. May we also be faithful servants in this incredible hour of redemptive history.
Stephanie Quick (@quicklikesand) is a writer/producer serving with FAI. She lives in the Golan Heights and cohosts The Better Beautiful podcast with Jeff Henderson. Browse her free music, films, and books in the FAI App and at stephaniequick.org.
[1] Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 57:15
[2] “Deep calleth unto deep, and though polluted and landlocked by the mighty disaster theologians call the Fall, the soul senses its origin and longs to return to its Source.” A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy
[3] Romans 6:23
[4] Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:10
[5] Romans 8:1-39; Hebrews 13:20
[6] Exodus 20:7
[7] Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7
[8] Exodus 12:40
[9] Exodus 13:21
[10] Hebrews 8:5
[11] Exodus 31:1-6
[12] See Exodus 32
[13] For a quick introduction to this theme, watch “8 Reasons Why Matthew 24 Was Not Fulfilled in 70AD” from FAI STUDIOS here
[14] Galatians 1:4
[15] Matthew 19:28 (“renewal” = “re-genesis”)
[16] Revelation 21:5
[17] Romans 1:14
[18] Titus 2:13
[19] Ephesians 6:20; Colossians 4:4
[20] 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
[21] Luke 12:48
