Faith Over Fears Series: Andrew Gardener
In our #Faithoverfears series, we will be creating collaborative works of art by featuring people from different walks of life about what inspires them to create and give. Our first feature is with Andrew Gardner, pastor at The Vine, writer, and avid photographer.
“We can often be overwhelmed when it comes to thinking about social issues and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that need to be overcome in creating justice in society. But I once sat next to a civil rights leader from the US at a breakfast and he told me that the greatest injustice is when we allow the overwhelming odds to freeze our hands and feet. A small act of personal advocacy is a large step towards overcoming inertia. It inspired me that my very small daily commitments to living more justly is central to societal change as a whole.”
“One of my favourite quotes about creativity and life is: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“I am inspired by people who have the ability to take something ordinary and through their creatvity turn it into something extroadinary. I am currently writing a novel and while it is incredibly challenging I love the creativity of immersing myself in a new world and bringing that world to life. Creativity is a spiritual activity first and foremost. We create because we are made in the image of God and our creativity is a reflection of God’s divine creativity. To create is to partake in an act of God’s heart and to partner with God in the co-creation of all things. So to create is a privilege and a act of worship, and one of the ways we live out our calling as humans fashioned in his image.”
“We are a very self-obsorbed society these days. Sometimes the simple act of just stopping, looking up at who is around you, and engaging with them in a simple way is a major act of renewal. My wife was sharing with me the other day how she just smiled to a stranger in the supermarket line and asked them how they were feeling. It opened up a great conversation, simply by noticing the person around and treating them with dignity and respect. That’s how we become better neighbours to one another.”
