I am looking at an undelivered box, sitting on a shelf next to our dining room table. It was supposed to be mailed out to my son in a foreign country but when we found out the cheapest delivery cost exceeded the box’s contents by many times, the project stalled. We’re a really busy family and time passed, and now months later I’m looking at this undelivered box, weighing the value of the contents, both literally and figuratively, and musing about is worth.
One thing is certain, as long as the box sits unopened, its value is zero.
Giving away something: words, time, effort gifts, is always a gamble. And the probability is pretty good that the ‘gift’ will make no lasting impact, its absence will not be noticed and its presence forgotten as life goes on. People are adaptable, and if you make no contribution, they will get along just fine. If you try to make a contribution, it will only bring a brief moment of aid or happiness to the recipient…or worse, it will be misunderstood. Giving is a gamble…however not giving is a certainty; as long as the contribution remains undelivered its value is certainly zero.
Consider this web site and CCAS, this site’s hosting organization. This site was built, and is now maintained totally on the sacrificial gifts of money and a huge amount of time and effort of its founders and current web-wizards. I stumbled upon it four years ago, a well maintained but quiet fellowship site for Christian Comic writers and artists, and said…respectfully and sincerely…OH MY GOD!!!!! Pinch me Jesus, is this for real?! I don’t know about the lives of the other 1500 other people who have signed up on this site, but I am surrounded by people who love and appreciate me…but do not get the power of Christian graphic arts. And every week I come to this site, I am grateful to God that with the click of a mouse I can tie into at least 1500 other folks that “get it.”
There are many ways we can express our appreciation, our enthusiasm, our anxiety and endurance through this site. “What shall I say to you, brothers and sisters? When we come together in this web space, everyone who has a poem, a word of instruction, a revelation or interpretation, a piece of art: share it for the strengthening of this body.”(1Cor14:26-27) “Let us consider how to spur each other on toward love and good deeds.”(Hebrews10:25).
We’re all pretty busy. The time we can spare for art is precious…and the payback for making it is pretty scanty. However, if every second time we visited this site we left a little something: a comment, a praise or prayer request, a piece of writing or art, maybe a small contribution to the site coffers to help with upkeep; it would help make this site a little warmer and brighter. It’s a gamble that any one contribution will even be noticed or appreciated by anyone human but the value of unexpressed good intentions is certain: its zero.
Comments
So true on so many levels, my friend. :) Well said on all counts.
totally agree. Every comment brings great joy to the author.
I've long admired you Brien, you have been a very giving, gracious, and encouraging friend to everyone here on CCAS. Thank you for sharing your heart about this, it is inspiring.
I actually prefer using this site instead of FB......hhhmmmm.....maybe I should then....
Psalm 46
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, thou the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam and though the mountains quake at its swelling pride (we will not fear). There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 'Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold."
Brien,
This is amazingly well said. You have an excellent talent for art and for words :)
Oh, and I agree! Tazi is an excellent artist!
Well said, Brien! Yeah, I think revamping the site may be a good idea as well Mel! FaceBook is easier, but I like CCAS so much that I try to spend some time here at least 3 times a week. I feel if folks get some response to what they put up here, they'll be more likely to come back.
I also observe that our omnipresent God keeps remnants for himself in the most unlikely spots of the internet, just like he did in the bible (1 Kings 19:18). Its encouraging to see really bright talents like Tazi-San (check out http://www.deviantart.com/art/Pentecost-240448926 and other postings by her on Deviant ) dedicating her abilities to Jesus and averaging a fair number of hits because of it.
Well, I have heard that Facebook has some lively groups, but I've refrained from joining in order to safeguard my time;...and maybe because I'm old and set in my ways.
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