Inside

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Inside’ as in… a significant part of the wonder of creativity is knowing what’s inside of us that, once freed, will bring joy to others.

What’s inside the piano? What’s inside the palette of paints, the word processor? What’s inside the grocery bag, the refrigerator, the spreadsheet, the keyboard? What’s inside the manuscript? These are essential questions. But knowing what’s inside of each one of us that longs to emerge is equally – if not more significant.

In 1501 when Michelangelo began chipping away at a chunk of marble in his dusty little studio in Florence, Italy, he certainly had a strong inkling that David was locked deep inside, longing to be set free. As he stood on the scaffolding and stared up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he certainly had a good idea of what would emerge through the array of paints and colors and whatever other collection of materials he had available. (I prefer the version of him painting the ceiling while lying on his back. But those who know, know that he was standing. Details.)

But Michelangelo also knew what was inside of him. It’s up for debate as to whether he really said this or not, but one legend contends that when asked about his sculpting and how he accomplished such magnificence, he replied, “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block before I start my work. It is already there; I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” A slightly different version of that legend is that Michelangelo would chip away at everything that didn’t look like the image in his imagination.

These stories are terrific fodder for great discussions in art, philosophy, or theology classes. But let me ask you a few questions. What’s inside of you that longs to appear? What colors, shapes, textures, sounds, tastes are waiting to come to life through you to bless the world? What’s inside of you? How are you emerging? A significant part of the wonder of your creativity is knowing what’s inside you that, once freed, will bring joy to others.

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.