Creative and Misunderstood

"Misunderstandings, confusion and concerns about a new business model are quite common obstacles that disruptive companies face when they challenge the status quo... It will take time for many to understand us and probably in hindsight, only some will realize what we’re seeing now." Mohawk Group Holdings, Inc. (MWK), CEO Yaniv Sarig on Q4 2019 Results.

"The nature of the personal computer is simply not fully understood by companies like Apple (or anyone else for that matter). Apple makes the arrogant assumption of thinking that it knows what you want and need. It, unfortunately, leaves the 'why' out of the equation - as in 'why would I want this?' The Macintosh uses an experimental pointing device called the 'mouse'. There is no evidence that people want to use these things." San Francisco Examiner, John Dvorak. 1984.

Creativity- disruptive creativity - breeds misunderstanding.  Not because people have ill-intent and not because they want to misunderstand. It's because with fresh creativity comes a creation that no one has ever seen before.

Creativity often lacks relatable context. It's "outside of the box" - outside of what would historically be relatable. And in a sense, disruptive creativity does carry with it a sense of arrogance doesn't it? For better or worse, it assumes it will find a home - a context- even though there's little evidence yet that it will.

I suppose the artist God is quite accustomed by now with being misunderstood. And if you doubt that, it may be appropriate to ask yourself, "How often have I been misunderstood?" Perhaps you are misunderstood, not because of your flaws but because God is creative. Maybe it's actually God who is the one misunderstood through you, his masterpiece. 

Have you ever read a parable of Jesus and not understood it? Perhaps you are a parable of sorts. Maybe your story is one worth re-reading a couple times. Or look at the life of Peter. Jesus understood Peter, even when Peter was ramping up to deny Him. Jesus knew what the story looked like at the end. Only the artist understands the finished product prior to it's completion.

Listen to the Painter's words, "But I have prayed for you Simon, that your faith would not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31) It's as though Jesus, paint brush in hand, prayed out Peter's path ahead of him. Yes, you will deny me but I have painted your return.

To see beyond the denial is grace. And only grace can bring the denier home. Because only grace is disruptively creative enough to create us new, creatures without our previous context of sin. And only grace is arrogant enough to create us pilgrims, aliens, and pioneers of forgiveness in this world of shame. We are a people without worldly context. We do not belong here and yet here we are. And God, in his great wisdom has done it to display the glories of His heavenly context. And so we are an instrument, and God is playing his music through us. A people of heavenly context, woefully misunderstood, but full of joy because of it. 

If you are feeling misunderstood, endorse the God who creates. In Him our, earthly and heavenly destinies are born.