Manifesto

In a curated exhibit the goal is to collect and display the creative skill and beauty created by the artist. What greater Artist than the Creator of all things?

Acts 17:24-25, 29 says, “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything… Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.”

We don’t make God, God makes us and then reveals himself to us. Not only is he the Creator but ultimately the Curator of our lives. Faith is not like a library where silence is held in high esteem or the Louvre where priceless one of a kind art is seen and not touched but only admired from afar. Our faith lives should be more like a children’s museum, full of light and laughter and music, things to touch and see and taste, a little messy at times, yet inspiring all of our senses to worship. This looks different for all of us in different seasons, but Christ is the thread that connects us all.

There are four primary values of Curated Faith, Faith, Hope, Love, and Joy. Here are just a few of the many scriptures that stirred these things in my heart.

Faith – We believe by faith that God has curated our lives. He is sovereign over all that we are and do, from when and where we are born, to who our parents are, to who our children are, to the natural talents and giftings we are born with. He is the author of every single one of our days.

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’” Acts 17:26-28 

Hope – We are living works of art and all that we do is an extension God’s creative power, using spiritual gifts to serve one another in hope instead of fear

“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine… everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:1, 7

“For we are his works of art, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“For as in one body we have many members,and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service,in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-8

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Love – We manifest the love of God by loving one another

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:9-18

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:7-12

Joy – We can choose joy daily and see life and sanctification as an act of art

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,  so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12