Creativity connects us to community. “For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:14) I appreciate how this verse conjures up an image of the creative community. Each person brings forth their own artistry that connects them to a feeling of fellowship with others. This community cultivates relationships, locally based to distant camaraderie, founded by means of shared sentiment, passion, and ambition. As a photographer I spend a lot of time collaborating with other artists. This is some of my favorite work because I can see a tangible image of how the body of Christ works together. When we each bring our resources and skills together we are able to create a work of art that is not possible to accomplish alone; it requires all the members of the body to participate. When we give freely, we build each other up, making each one’s craft complete. On the other hand, creating in community can be difficult at times. It can bring up bouts of insecurity, doubt, fear, or jealousy, and if anyone does not do their part, or if they tear another person down, it hurts the whole group because we are all working together for one purpose. This visual of community as many members of one body has taught me the gravity of what it means to be a part of something much bigger than myself. “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) Another aspect of creativity in community I’ve come to lean on is the overall influence it has on my life and my work. Austin Kleon paints a great picture in his book Steal Like an Artist: “Just as you have a familial genealogy, you also have a genealogy of ideas. You don’t get to pick your family, [but] you can pick your teachers and you can pick your friends and you can pick the music you listen to and you can pick the books you read and the movies you see. . . . You are the sum of your influences.” This is a beautiful reminder of how creativity isn’t limited to a particular medium or style, but each person’s trade plays an instrumental part in the work of the whole body. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
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