Sunday, February 12, 2006

 

Finding Meaning Through Weakness


I was reading through a blog called "Refractions" by artist Makoto Fujimura, and ran across his take on his experiences at a 2003 Christmas exhibition in Toyko. (read the whole story here)

Here is an excerpt of what he wrote:
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"A Japanese pastor wrote that the most important message of Christmas is that Jesus was born as a babe, weak and vulnerable to the world. A baby is utterly dependent on a mother and a father, and others helping the baby to survive. Imagine, one who would claim to be the all-powerful Creator in flesh, becoming vulnerable and DEPENDENT on fallen human beings like us!

But when you think about it, a baby’s strength also lies in this weakness, as he or she draws people together. The message of Christmas is a paradox. It is through the weak that power is displayed. It is through the vulnerability, that true lasting security is gained. It is through being utterly dependent on others, that a true community is created.

The message of Christmas, then, can be applied to what we do as artists. What would our art look like if we truly believed that through our weaknesses, through even what we are ashamed of, we could create something that is lasting and meaningful, and incarnate hope back into the world. What if the power of a community is not in the display of power, but in the acknowledgement of our weaknesses? Artists can play an important role in helping a community to be authentic and honest. Japanese aesthetics already embraces the idea that weakness is beautiful: that what is wearing away and what is imperfect actually points to eternity."

(used by permission)
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Sometimes I shy from sharing weaknesses with others, even though I know the apostle James encouraged us that sharing these things with one another & praying together is the path to finding healing. Though it's difficult to share brokenness, every time I've done it I've been encouraged. Each time God has been there to catch me and show that my sacrifice (of what, my dignity?) was well worth it, even if only for the sake of others.

I drew a picture the other day about this. Finding Makoto's quote was nice and well-articulated confirmation of what I felt making the picture. It's nice to know God is showing us all everywhere that there is strength in our weaknesses.

# posted by Ramone @ 4:08 PM
Comments:
My friend James posted a link on his site to this exhibition, A broken beauty.
# posted by Blogger Ramone : 6/25/2006 10:16 PM
 
Ramone ... thanks for the link to Makoto's website. His words and art are tremendously moving, and he seems to have a strong Christian faith underneath it all.

Blessings
Richard
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 6/09/2007 8:48 PM
 

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