From “The Discipline of Inspiration: The Mysterious Encounter with God at the Heart of Creativity” by Carey Wallace
The more familiar we become with inspiration, the greater our sense that it operates beyond our control. No amount of technique, talent, or discipline can summon inspiration – or replace it.
It will not speak or roll over on command. It is not interested in any trade we offer or threats we make, either against it or ourselves.
That’s because inspiration is not a resource like water or gold, or a creature we can hunt. Inspiration is an intrusion of God into the world.
The search for inspiration is a species of prayer: an attempt to connect with a force not just beyond ourselves, but beyond the seen world.
And art is a form of worship: the artist’s reaction to the living presence of God.
Art is evidence of God’s presence, and continually invokes it. It confounds some and enrages others, as God does. It comforts and heals, as God does. It chides and sears, as God does. It dazzles and quiets us, as God does. It bears witness, as God does. It appears in different guises to different people, as God does. It both reveals our weakness and returns us to our better selves, as God does.
It cannot be defined, as God cannot be defined.
It cannot be boxed, as God cannot be boxed.
It cannot be stopped, as God cannot be stopped.
Art is God’s constant continuation of the original creation, through the hands and minds of humankind.