A Revelation Regarding Art
I know I said that I was going to post about our family trip to Needles, CA next, but a lot things have happened since that last post. Mainly because I’m walking again, woohoo! So I’ve had this post in draft form for a few weeks and just decided to post it now. I need to take a little more time on the Needles post for it to meet my high standards anyways, haha. Once again my mind has been dwelling on a simple idea for days and I just need to type it out to fully realize it. So I guess in a way this is a journal time entry, although it was not penned in advance. Anyways my Pastor has been preaching a series on Wednesday nights titled, “Mind Power”. It involves the fact that God builds His church on and leads His people by the rock of revelation. Essentially revelation is revealed truth, knowledge that is revealed to you by God through the Holy Spirit. This is the kind of knowledge that you can’t be shaken from. Here is a link to the second part in the series and here is an excerpt from Matthew Chapter 16:
Matt 16:13-Matt 16:18 KJV When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Essentially this is where God started using revelation as a foundation for His church.
Well the other day I was at Hobby Lobby and I stumbled upon the sketching/ drawing section. In the past I have sketched on and off but I always gave it up because I didn’t feel that my work was good enough. Well I decided to buy a bigger sketch pad and some colored pencils to go with my graphite ones. I sat everything down on my desk and it took me a few days to try my hand at art again. I used to write, draw, etc. on a regular basis until about midway through high school. Then I discovered online gaming and after that, work. That pretty much ended my creative life for a while.
The reason I bring up revelation is because God revealed something to me the other night, and that prompted me to start drawing again. After much contemplation He revealed to me that art is not for the masses but for the individual. I draw because I want to, not because I want to get my work in a museum one day. I think that the truly great artists are the ones who use their particular facet of art as a means to sort through a world that they don’t truly understand. Such as a songwriter who writes songs about things that perplex or trouble him. Art is an outlet for the creatively inclined. It just so happens that others can benefit from it as well. I write to analyze and structure my thoughts regarding the events occurring in my life. To fully flesh out high ideas and ideals that I can’t seem to sift through within the confines of my mind.
Anyone who knows me will say that I am not always the best at articulating my thoughts on the fly. I tend to mix up words, for instance “Catch my drift?” comes out as “get my catch?” haha. That’s just me, I’m a thinker. When I am presented with a problem I like to take my time and analyze the situation and consider all of the different aspects of it. Sometimes it feels like my mind is moving faster than my mouth which is why I love writing. I can take my time to truly sift through my mind and arrive at the final product of my thought and express it with clarity and tact.
Drawing is similar to writing in many ways to me. I am no Leonardo Da Vinci and that’s ok. I draw because it brings me satisfaction to see my imagination take shape on paper. To see a photograph through my heart instead of my eyes. I may not be talented enough to make money and that’s fine with me. I’m not drawing or writing for profit. I believe that my ability to use the written word is a gift from God. Drawing is more of a creative hobby, I’m not so sure about that one being a gift yet, haha.
We are all given gifts that need to be used for the Kingdom of God, but we need to realize that the gift was first given to us. Meaning simply that we must appreciate and exercise the gift in a way that gives thanks to God, He will provide ample opportunity for us to use our gifts to minister to others and that will bring Him glory. But He gave it to you, not the masses. Please don’t misunderstand me though, we are not to glorify the gift, use it in unseemly ways or keep it to ourselves. I am simply saying that you should work within your gift for the right reasons. Not because you feel that you need to impress someone, but because it brings you joy. So if you love playing the guitar or drums, play them. Not because you think that you can become famous but because you love to do so.
James 1:17 KJV Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Express yourself and if it is within God’s will for you to enter a career with your gift, he will make it happen in his own time. But he may simply use a particular gift to help a homeless man on the street or your grieving next-door neighbor and that’s it. Or maybe you never become famous but you are able to play the keyboard at church with a spirit of excellence. Just remember that the gift was given to you and not others, so enjoy it. But at the same time don’t be stingy, if someone needs your gift share it freely. In doing so you honor and give glory to God. That’s all I have. Another random dip into my heart and mind, I hope this helps someone!
Greg, it is always a joy to read your writings. Please keep posting!
Thank you, I should have new content out soon!
Greg, I really enjoyed what you wrote. It inspired, in me, to use my gift to it’s fullest!. Thanks. The drawing is awesome!
Thank you! I’m glad that you enjoyed it!