On this rainy day, I am thinking about ideas. Something about these darker, rainy and windy days appeals to my creative side. Don’t know what that is about. It just is. And so it seemed quite appropriate to me that I was privy to an MPR interview with author Stephen Johnson who has written a book entitled Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation. His topic was intriguing and he was also a very engaged and engaging interview. His general premise is that all good ideas are the result of our connections with others and the environment in which we travel, work, play, and make our lives.

Now this may seem like a no-brainer to some. But think of the number of times we look with envy and admiration toward those who seem to be the innovators, the big idea people, the problem solvers. Johnson’s premise is that no one creates anything completely alone. While some may claim credit for having done so, all good ideas, all new ideas are a synthesis of thoughts, and experiences that come together to form something greater than any one innovation or innovator. Any new idea was birthed through the relationships, the conversations, the shared dreams, of many people. It may first be spoken aloud or manufactured by one person but much led up to any initial entrance of an idea into the universe.

Of course, we are always drawn, I believe, to people who speak words we have thought but perhaps not spoken before. When someone else is able to articulate a deep belief you have, it becomes a mighty ‘ah’ha’ moment and a great affirmation. This was my experience listening to this interview. And it probably was so rich to me today because I have so recently had just such an experience of an idea that has now been carried to its conclusion through the creative work of so many.

This fall our faith community has held the theme “A Story to Stand On”. I have written about this theme in this space before. It started with recognizing that the scriptures to be used in worship this fall would contain some of the most familiar Christian stories. Through several conversations, we talked about how we are all held together with the stories of our faith, our families, our nation, the circles in which we travel….so many stories that go into shaping who we are, how we express ourselves in the world. We began asking people to share the scripture stories that ground them. We then asked people to tell stories of how being a part of our church community has shaped them. Finally, we asked them to allow us to record their stories in the spirit of the Story Corps project often featured on public radio and compiled in the book Listening Is An Act of Love.

After these stories were recorded, other people got involved, creating art to introduce the story, music to embellish and hold the people’s words. Still other people listened to all the recordings, choosing significant parts that could be shared with the wider community. And then another person took all these pieces and created yet another iteration of this idea into a short Story to Stand On video. As I now watch them, I am moved every time by the stories people hold within them, about the stories people have to share.

Along the way no one single person could have continued this project. It needed all the players to create the final result. This is the same with every new idea, every new project, composition, book, invention, solution that is being birthed this very minute. The Spirit(I believe) moves through the center of it all whipping up the winds of creativity and connecting those involved into some greater good, something larger than any individual idea. It happens in large and small ways every day. And so it has been since the beginning of Creation.

What new idea is being birthed in you today? Who do you need to invite into your circle of creativity? The Spirit is waiting to dance through it all. Ready. Set. Go.

If you are interested in seeing some of these amazing stories go to: tv.hennepinchurch.org