Today I was thinking about how often in our culture people get excited about a new model, they promote their new ideas, they behave as though they have done something that has never been done before. And I bet their idea is different. Their product is innovative. But ultimately, there is nothing new under the sun, only different ways of creating. And creativity is part of our God-given design, part of what comes with our being created in the image of God, the creator of all things.

So this had me spending time in Ecclesiastes today, starting with 1:9, '“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.”

Anything we create reflects Him as our creator. Our discoveries, our innovations, our models, they are a natural revelation of God himself.

As George Box said, “All models are wrong, some are useful.” Our discoveries, innovations, and designs are useful. They can help to provide a different way to communicate the same concept so different kinds of people can better understand.

We must beware of anyone who claims they have created, discovered, or designed something new.

I ended up at the end of Ecclesiastes, reading chapter 12 verses 11 and 12. These versus inspired me to write this poem.

I recently got some distance from my daily grind, spending a week with my daughter on a senior spring break trip. We visited DC, Annapolis, and central Virginia. We got some great time with one of my nieces. From our conversations, my work with MettlEdge members, and recent Sunday sermons through the book of Revelation by our pastor, I had a lot brewing on the inside of my mind. This is what came out.

One day sometime in 2022-23 I was just frustrated with the nature of what has become a normalized daily experience and needed to let it all out. This is what came out.

“A new facet of “ownership” - showing up with resolve is a high motivation aligned with how I’m wired; but giving myself “permission” to own a personal vision and goal (not those of others, driven by others’ needs) is a strategic shift.”

“Our [regular meeting] time with MettlEdge has allowed us to identify our individual strengths, desires, and needs as a staff, and work towards identifying processes that allow us to all feel seen and understood as we work together towards common goals.”

“The coaching HELPED ME both PERSONALLY and PROFESSIONALLY by CLARIFYING STEPS I could take to MOVE PROJECTS FORWARD and PUSH PAST BARRIERS.”

“At the end of every session I’m not driven like I just went to a motivational speaker, I’m moved and motivated to make appropriate, measurable, and attainable goals. Jill has been an extraordinary benefit to my team.”