Kelly Carr, Interim Editor

There is so much potential in a new year, don’t you think? Fresh starts. New opportunities. A year just beginning—so far, untouched.

Challenge Initiated

Last year at this time, my congregation’s minister (also known as my husband) challenged our church to live out a Year of Creativity. We were encouraged to use our talents—the long-forgotten ones or the always-wanted-to-try ones—to make stuff for the glory of God. We were encouraged to be creative in our generosity and in our worship as well. 

That challenge forced me to look at 2013 differently. Instead of just putting my head down and getting to work on each day’s to-do list, I tried to stop and look around and notice God’s creativity. I pushed myself to attempt new things and to dust off discarded abilities and use them again.

Challenge Accepted

In the course of attempting the new and revisiting the old, I now find myself sitting here at The Lookout in 2014. It is both new and old to me. 

Back in the late ’90s, I had excitedly finished my journalism degree and was offered a chance to work part-time as an assistant to The Lookout staff. For two days a week, I felt incredibly professional by putting my newly developed degree to use in a small way at this magazine. The Lookout helped give me my start toward a career as an editor at Standard Publishing. 

Fast forward to late 2013: After years as an editor and then years as a stay-at-home mom and freelancer, I was living out my to-do lists as usual. Then God got my attention with a challenge—an unexpected chance to use creativity, new and old. And now I find myself back in a familiar place—but in a different chair with different tasks ahead.

Challenge Anticipated

I worked with Shawn McMullen and near him and for him in different capacities over the years. I am so thankful for him and his years as editor of The Lookout. While he takes his own journey of creativity by serving in full-time ministry again, I happily step in for a season here at The Lookout. What this year will bring is unknown to us. But God is known to offer some beautiful surprises when we aren’t expecting it. 

What are you anticipating for this new year? How will you attempt to try new things and dust off old skills to use again? Make some specific goals for 2014 if you’d like. But also allow yourself to be open this year. Listen for God’s Spirit urging you to say or do something. Respond when he prompts you to give your time or money unexpectedly. Look at what God is doing and making around you and join in, worshipping him in new ways and in new settings.

I hope you will journey along with me on this interlude. I thank you in advance for your hospitality. Let’s see what we can make together.