Tensions, Persistance, and Networking

Scharen discusses the tension one faces between one's vocation and passion and the idea of submission to God, in his chapter 7 "Leisure and the Arts."  He offers the story of Makota Fujimura, whose story really resonates with me, because Makota refuses to give into assumptions in the face of conflict and tension.  He believes that he can do both- live out his passion, and be faithful in his submission and service to God. 

Scharen writes, "Mako has the support of his faith community so that while his integration of faith with his art has come at some cost to his success in the art world, he has had the strength of conviction to endure.  Despite the fact that he cannot resolve the tensions, he has not given up struggling to make his faith and work in the arts into one life.  For him, the struggle has been possible because he has been intentional about building a network that will support his work and encourage, rather than prevent, this melding of faith and the arts.  Building on Mako's story, we can consider the resources of faith needed to overcome the divide between faith, arts, and culture, and to lead communities in which such integration can be practiced with vigor" (Scharen, 116-117).

This network building and integration is not easy.  But its something that has become much easier to do with the rise of media and primarily the tools of social networking.  Because of e-mail and Facebook, I am able to have a network of peers that only a decade ago would seem impossible to maintain. 

The act of networking also helps build bridges.  Its through networking, that I hope, as an MA student I will be able to find a job in the ministry/industry I feel called towards (the NGO/non-profit/social-sector).  I do not have the same "luxury" that my fellow students at seminary have as part of an M.Div. program with a pre-built structure through which they will be called and given a place to work.  This part, will fall to me without the resources of this "call structure."  So, it will be important for me to use and continue to build a network which includes friends, teachers, professors, and people whom I have met through various functions across the country and around the world.  Though some say that social networking is eroding our sense of community and place, I think its merely changing it.  For those that are willing to use it, its creating a community of intentionality.  Mako is intentional in finding a way to meld his gifts and passions with the service of God in art.  He is having to develop this on his own, but is not alone, as he has the resources of his friends, family, and the goodness of strangers to help build a network where his story and dreams can be realized.