Something in Common with God: Hovering with Creative Teens
One of the great things about my job as director of the YES Foundation is that I am around a lot of talented young people and I often have the privilege of seeing people in the throes of their own creative process. For someone who doesn’t feel particularly creative, it’s an exciting thing to witness. Although it can be a little messy and feel a bit perilous at times, this place where someone brings into existence that which did not exist before feels holy to me. It has made me ponder God’s creative process.
I have been thinking about something a teenager said at DubCee (a program of YES Foundation) a few months ago. We got into this rather interesting conversation about Genesis 1:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
We were “hovering” around the idea of the Spirit of God hovered. Charlie, a 16-year-old who loves to draw and is pretty good at it, commented, “I get that ’cause when I am about to draw something, I sort of hover. I have to think about what I’m gonna do, what’s gonna happen. Sometimes, I do that for a long time before I can start…sometimes it just comes to me.” I was taken by the far away look in Charlie’s eyes…as if he suddenly realized that he and God had something in common.
The image of God hovering over the dark, over that which was void and without form, simultaneously comforts and rattles me. On the one hand, the calming image of God’s spirit brooding over the deep much like an artist would hover over a blank canvas. On the other, what one translation calls a “watery abyss” so close at hand. When I think about the lives of some of the teenagers with whom we share our days, words like “dark” and “void” come to mind. On some days, even the word “abyss” might be applicable. Sometimes I feel that the most important, most significant thing that we get to do is be on the receiving end when a teenager trusts us enough to ask this question:
“Where is God when my life feels so dark?”
Frankly, this question dogs our kids. The question itself broods, lurks, when you are 14 years old, and you are managing a life that includes parents who struggle with addictions, brothers who are involved in gangs, friends who are sixteen and pregnant—again. When your family is evicted from your home not necessarily because your parents couldn’t pay rent but because your landlord couldn’t hold on to the house in this economy. When your reality is going to school and holding your breath because it seems like a whole month has gone by where nobody has died and you’re not relieved—you’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Besides that, there was a helicopter “hovering” over your block last night, and now you can’t help but wonder…
If that was our life, maybe we might understand the gravity of the question, “Where is God when my life feels so dark?” I think we know that sometimes the best answer to that question is silence, but I am aware that our journey with kids requires us to offer something tangible, something real. Charlie has an idea about what it is to hover over something that is not yet formed. Might God be hovering over our lives as well, brooding over the deep and the dark? Can hope come from this image of God’s Spirit hovering over the watery abyss that is so often our lives? I think so. I hope so because what comes next is verse 3:
And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.
We are waiting for “God said,” and then we are waiting for “Light.” Some days it seems more complicated than that, but at the end of most of my days, in my heart, I know it boils down to waiting and working and walking with our young friends through these years that can be troubling, trying and very chaotic. These are young people who have much to learn and even more to show us about perseverance, character and hope.
We know that we have a lot to learn, too and hopefully will have a lot to show about our own perseverance, character and hope. I am praying that we are able to sense God’s Spirit hovering and brooding over our lives and those of our loved ones.
—
Pat Thompson
Director of YES Foundation
in White Center, Washington, USA
Tags: Genesis 1, Hovering, Spirit of God, YES.
In a lot of ways, the whole concept of ‘hovering’ occurs with many painters and writers alike. I am a writer who is going to be writing a book of poetry and prose, describing in such form(s) my experiences of being homeless since I was 13 years old. I never really thought of it in the concept of ‘hovering’ but it totally fits. I like it! THanks for sharing!!
First of all this is the coolest blog on the planet—talk about being creative. Thanks for “Hovering” for the long haul OVER white Center. I love you big time! Col 4:17b “Tell Pat Thompson, ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’”
Wow! Thank you for sharing. The concept of hovering conjures up many different visions. Waiting on something to happen, checking on things,lingering, but what I loved was the simple and complete understanding of Charlie’s perception. Good insight.
Blessings…gina
Thank you Pat for sharing your story. Just yesterday, the teenager I know showed me the song he created on Youtube. Wow, it was amazing. The song talks about life, death, regret and hope. He doesn’t have much in his life – no stable home, no parents, just kicked out of school. But he knows the light because he knows what exactly the darkness is. My job with teens is supposed to show them God’s glory, but instead I keep witnessing it through their lives.
Pat, thanks for sharing. I love hearing about conversations we have with our young people that stirs up something inside us to think outside the box. I love the conversations that allow us to learn from them. I also find it inspiring when they can relate the word of God personally in their own lives. It appears that Charlie already knows that God has the ability to produce a masterpiece even when starting with a blank canvas. Thanks for offering insight on ‘hovering’ and sense of waiting that occurs. I am in agreement with you in being prayed up on sensing God’s Spirit hovering over our lives in the midst of darkness and uncertainty.
It is enlightening to see how we can learn from the insights of young people, which allows caregivers and those being cared for to grow mutually in understanding the scriptures in a mutually relevant manner. This creative approach to youth ministry brings new depth to our servanthood, not only in our lives, more so in the lives of others.
Keep on shining new light to ministry through this type insightful knowledge. You’re a blessing. Thank You.
~HolySwagg~
Wow…I get goose bumps when I consider the thought of bringing into existence that which did not exist before! One of the coolest experiences of working with you is seeing them discover their area of gifting & walk boldly & passionately in it. I get discouraged at times, but I have also witnessed God speak life and light into the darkest circumstances. Thanks for sharing Fam!
Awesome article…Charlie found something in common with God! It’s a joy knowing that youth, though finding themselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death can find commonality with God…What peace and gratification we all find when the “light” hits the darkness of our lives and we come to the realization that we have similarities with the almighty, ever living, ever sustaining God! Extremely profound…
Thank you for your profound thoughts! I appreciated learning from your idea of creating with students – this idea that God created something out of nothing & therefore inviting students into that same process is beautiful! I can just imagine all the things that are learned in and around that process!
Mostly though, I was really moved by your thoughts on God hovering over the darkness & abyss! Walking with students, I am so often bogged down by the darkness, forgetting that God is there. Not only is He there, He is waiting to bring light! Your reminder was timely for my own ministry! Thank you!