Pastor Kris' Blog

Pastor Kris' Blog

Formed In The Fire

Posted by: Kris Androsky on 8/2/2010 | 12 Comments

 

I recently learned that the Chinese character for “crisis” contains the character for “opportunity,” suggesting that our most stressful times in life may also contain a great amount of blessing. I’m not particularly fond of the idea that it is our darkest, most challenging times that could create our greatest potential for growth. Although, the idea does make me think of my recent experience in a glass works studio. 

 

With my partner, Steve, and some friends, I decided to take a glass blowing class. Simply standing next to the 2900 degree oven full of liquid glass was breathtaking. I learned how to add shards of glass to give an ornament and a paperweight color. But the best part of the creative process was when I melted the glass back to 2400 degrees and then, while continuously spinning the piece to keep its shape, twisted and poked the glass with pliers in order to create beautiful swirls that mixed the colors together and created a truly unique piece of art. In this tremendously hot state, the glass is malleable, changeable, and full of potential. At a point when the glass resembles anything but “normal” glass; beauty is created. 
 
While I really hate to admit it, I’ve found the same to be true in life. When I have been in the midst of a crisis and life has seemed anything but “normal,” I have learned and grown in ways that changed me forever. When I have felt like I was in a fire too hot to handle any more, I have found myself the most malleable, changeable and full of potential. It is also those crisis situations that have provided me the greatest opportunity to seek God. That’s not to say that I didn’t come out on the other side with some scars. I think that they are probably a natural and unavoidable consequence of the fire, just like the air bubbles that form in a piece of hot glass when it is poked and prodded. 
 
I don’t like the whole idea of beauty coming from pain, yet given what God has done to form me in those difficult times; I can’t just throw the idea out the window either. So, I guess I’ll take a cue from my glass blowing instructor. When the glass is hot and under a great amount of stress, you never take your eyes off the glowing orb. So, I watched my glass relentlessly, moved slowly and with great care, and did everything in my power to create a safe environment for my creation to be changed and formed as it reached its potential. If my greatest desire in that moment was to be that present to my simple glass ornament, how much greater is God’s desire to be present for us in our most difficult times?!?
 
Questions for Reflection (so we can learn from one another):
What have you learned in the fire/crisis?
Where do you find God in your process of formation?
What new learning experience has given you insight into life and/or God at work?
 
 


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    A Note From Kris

    The Soul's Playground
    I consider myself a seeker; someone who is always looking to find a different way of living - a way that moves into a deeper creative spirit and welcomes the things that offer a larger picture of the Holy One.  I can't help but ask a lot of questions and look for the fun and creative places in life.

    In looking for something different in the world and in our lives, it seems that some days are meant for climbing trees and sitting in reflection while other days are made for playing in the sandbox with friends.

    Here you will find my questions, my reflections, my greatest hopes - for our community, for the church and for the world.  Often, I'll share one of the "soul collages" made while playing in my art room as an image of where God is speaking in my life.  I hope that this space will be a place where we can share our tree-sitting reflections and our sandbox conversations.  And, I pray that through the community gathered here, our souls will find the playground they need to connect to the creative spirit of God.

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