I'm tired of worrying about the product.
Being apart of a prophetic school of painting can bring up alot of fears.
My thoughts are often,"How will this painting speak to someone? Since I'm painting during worship I better have something to show for it. What if God doesn't speak through me? If its ugly, I look ugly and untalented."
These are such lies! God is gently comforting me by teaching me how valuable the PROCESS of art is. Why else would he take a whole lifetime to sanctify us? He's not in a hurry. And I know He wants my character to not be obsessive of end results or paths, but trust in every moment that I'm living in Him. Art is no different. Especially in worship, which is what these nine months are all about. Every color can bring inspiration and brushtroke bring more peace to the artist. Whenever I'm preoccupied with how a piece is going to look, instead of creating together with my Creator, I don't receive so much healing or blessing from that work. It's almost a waste of time, like painting in the flesh.
How can my art be worship if my speech isn't honoring to Him? How can I get up and paint on stage with a right heart when I'm not at peace with my roommates? Wow. Jesus let my heart be simple. Character comes first, humility is so imperative. I have to just cling to the Source with a sober mind. It's so easy to seek glory.
But I've also realized, just today, that this isn't fake.
I really am an artist because thats how God speaks to me. Instead of giving me words or sermons He gives me pictures. Or he makes a picture through my hands that I can stare at for 20 minutes and be a different person afterwards. It's all so new to me! Inviting the Holy Spirit to bring forth truth through your hands.
But this isn't old news for so many believers, and no news at all for God. But I really haven't seen this much in my culture. Art has so been taken by the enemy! But it hasn't always been his territory. 1 Chronicles 25 is all about King David appointing skilled musicians to prophesy with instruments. They were to prophesy in thanksgiving in praise, always working under supervision. Art in worship is also for other people, and God so uses it! However, you have to test it just like we test the words we hear. If it doesn't match God's character, or you don't have peace, or its just crazy and the Holy Spirit isn't using it in you, then you just leave it.
And because of our pride and comparisons, sometimes we can pretend to prophesy. (Eeeek that's so bad! God takes that extremely seriously...) If someone tells you something and claims its from God, but instead of encouraging you it messes you up, don't stumble over it! Remember you have a safe place in His word. Its the rock that you don't have to test. The ground that always stands.
Being apart of a prophetic school of painting can bring up alot of fears.
My thoughts are often,"How will this painting speak to someone? Since I'm painting during worship I better have something to show for it. What if God doesn't speak through me? If its ugly, I look ugly and untalented."
These are such lies! God is gently comforting me by teaching me how valuable the PROCESS of art is. Why else would he take a whole lifetime to sanctify us? He's not in a hurry. And I know He wants my character to not be obsessive of end results or paths, but trust in every moment that I'm living in Him. Art is no different. Especially in worship, which is what these nine months are all about. Every color can bring inspiration and brushtroke bring more peace to the artist. Whenever I'm preoccupied with how a piece is going to look, instead of creating together with my Creator, I don't receive so much healing or blessing from that work. It's almost a waste of time, like painting in the flesh.
How can my art be worship if my speech isn't honoring to Him? How can I get up and paint on stage with a right heart when I'm not at peace with my roommates? Wow. Jesus let my heart be simple. Character comes first, humility is so imperative. I have to just cling to the Source with a sober mind. It's so easy to seek glory.
But I've also realized, just today, that this isn't fake.
I really am an artist because thats how God speaks to me. Instead of giving me words or sermons He gives me pictures. Or he makes a picture through my hands that I can stare at for 20 minutes and be a different person afterwards. It's all so new to me! Inviting the Holy Spirit to bring forth truth through your hands.
But this isn't old news for so many believers, and no news at all for God. But I really haven't seen this much in my culture. Art has so been taken by the enemy! But it hasn't always been his territory. 1 Chronicles 25 is all about King David appointing skilled musicians to prophesy with instruments. They were to prophesy in thanksgiving in praise, always working under supervision. Art in worship is also for other people, and God so uses it! However, you have to test it just like we test the words we hear. If it doesn't match God's character, or you don't have peace, or its just crazy and the Holy Spirit isn't using it in you, then you just leave it.
And because of our pride and comparisons, sometimes we can pretend to prophesy. (Eeeek that's so bad! God takes that extremely seriously...) If someone tells you something and claims its from God, but instead of encouraging you it messes you up, don't stumble over it! Remember you have a safe place in His word. Its the rock that you don't have to test. The ground that always stands.
