I believe you have to lay it all on the line when engaged in a creative activity; that the secret of great work is great sacrifice, openness...vulnerability.
Have you ever seen the movie or the play "Jeffrey," about gay men living under the specter of AIDS, where a relationship might constitute a death sentence? There's this incredibly moving scene where a priest talks about God, and he says something like "You know what God is? You're at a party, someone tosses a balloon in the air, and you all have to slap at it or kick it, do whatever it takes to keep it from hitting the ground. That balloon--that's God." I found that an amazing image--God as utter vulnerability. Love certainly is. They say that God is love, so it would seem to follow, wouldn't it?
of course I've seen Jeffrey. I'm a Trekkie, and it stars Patrick Stewart, so I've seen it. Though I've seen it more than once, I actually own the tape, so I guess it must mean I like it for other reasons too.
The image I get from that quote is actually something similar to what Elie Wiesel once said. -- something to the effect of: "You can love God, or you can argue with God, but you can't ignore God."
There are many ways to respond to the balloon; there are many ways to keep the balloon in the air. But turn the other way, focus your attention elsewhere, and the balloon will fall to the ground.
Posted by: John at July 13, 2002 12:37 AM