Creativity has been defined as “adventurous thinking.” It is the ability to get away from the main track, break out of the mold, or diverge from the rest of society.
In the previous Blog posts we have already viewed hospitality in a creative way. We have thought adventurously, seeing Christian hospitality as the opposite of “entertaining”—those prideful attempts to impress others. In this creative approach, we have looked at hospitality as a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Now, let us continue to think adventurously and discover the specifics of hospitality.
Rollo May, the noted psychologist, writes in The Courage to Create that creativity requires limits. He reasons that the creative act “arises out of the struggle of human beings with and against that which limits them.”
I can easily identify my own limits to hospitality—finances, energy, time. These are legitimate strictures, thrust upon me by my circumstances. As a Christian, I also have Scriptural limitations. Christ’s injunctions about putting the Kingdom of God before our desire for material possessions, denying oneself, going the extra mile, and other mandates inform my approach to hospitality. What creative responses can come “out of the struggle with and against that which limits me”?
Many of you will not have the limitations which are mine—my grandmother at 88 seemingly has more energy than I have. Others are blessed with unlimited financial resources. And, time hangs heavy on many a hand. So, I will share these creative struggles as examples, hoping they will stimulate ideas in areas of limitation other than my own.
For decades, Karen Mains and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. The are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and churches at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Karen has long had an interest in Christian hospitality and is the author of the best-selling book, Open Heart, Open Home.
An award-winning author of several other books, Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags. This microfinance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
In addition, pastors will find special resources to help them create effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.