200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One

“Everyone longs to live a life of meaning and purpose, to leave something of real worth behind when we’re gone. All too often, we feel that our day-to-day tasks make no difference in the great scheme of things. The truth is exactly the opposite—God has given each of us extraordinary power to create beauty and transform the world through our daily work and ordinary actions. You have immense potential to develop your God-given talents and contribute something that makes a difference in the world, be it through construction or counseling, doing people’s taxes carefully and ethically, or raising and teaching children. Even if your contribution seems to go unnoticed by others, you can rest assured that God sees and values your work.

200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One draws on the story of obscure Old Testament figure Huram of Tyre, an artist putting the finishing touches on Solomon’s temple. He honed his craft and contributed something of beauty and excellence, though some of his most detailed and time-consuming work was more than thirty feet off the ground, where few people would notice its intricacies. Likewise, we have the ability and opportunity to create something of worth, be it for the lasting enjoyment of others or for God’s eyes only. We may not all be artistic in the traditional sense, but we are nonetheless creators, made in the image of God the Creator and endowed with skills and talents that can honor God and impact our world. Every good mom is an artist, molding her children as creations of God. Every ethical businessperson leaves a legacy of people seeing God through his or her careful work. Every after-school teacher leaves an indelible mark on the young people whose parents are busy just making ends meet.

You too are an artist, equipped with a palette of skills and strengths that can honor God and impact the world in amazing ways. Where will you make your mark?”

This is an excerpt from the book I wish I had written! My friend Shawn Wood, the Experiences and Creative Communications Pastor and a Teaching Pastor for Seacoast Church, is the author and he is a fellow Communicator of Truth! This book is available for pre-order through Amazon on 8-08-08.

Buy it.

Read it.

Spread the word, people!

Available for advance purchase online 08-08-08 at www.amazon.com
Available everywhere great books are sold 9-01-08

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