God is an Artist

I wrote this little devotional as a homework assignment for my Fine Arts class. I actually took the assignment lightly when I wrote this. Later, when I went back to edit it I added some more stuff and was then struck with the realization of what it means in my own life. I was impacted so heavily by my own writing. Maybe this isn't good, maybe it doesn't affect you at all, but it does me so I thought I'd share it...

Isaiah 42:5-7, This is what God the LORD says— he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Once upon a time, there was an artist who created a magnificent painting. It was a colorful sunrise peaking above the mountaintops. There were bright shades of yellow, red, pink, and orange which contrasted the dark blue and grey hues of the mountains. The paint was slathered on so thick that the piece popped with texture. He put so much time and effort into his task, carefully perfecting every line, color, and texture of the panting until he was completely satisfied. When the painting was dry he framed it in a golden oak frame and hung it on his bedroom wall. It was a remarkably alluring piece; he smiled whenever he saw it. Everyone knew that he was a wonderful artist, but he never showed this piece to anyone else. It was purely for his own enjoyment.

There was another artist who also created a beautiful masterpiece. His was painting of a beach scene with palm trees bending in the wind during a power storm. There was rhythm in the spacing of palm trees and the focal point was on a massive grey wave about to crash on shore. The artist put the same amount of effort into his task, intimately working with the design elements. He did not stop working until he felt fully satisfied. This artist framed his work in a beautiful gold setting. The end result was stunning. This second artist donated his masterpiece to the community rehabilitation center, where many people would enjoy seeing it. The painting made a lasting impact on the clients of the center who resonated with the theme of the painting as they endured their own life storms.

Which of these paintings do you think was probably more appreciated? You are correct if you said it was the second painting of the beach scene. Though both were equally impressive, the second artist used his painting to impact the lives of other people – he made it with a purpose to be served. The awe-inspiring thing is that God is like the second artist. When He creates artwork He does so with a purpose. As His creation, we were not aimlessly thrown together and we were not made for His enjoyment only. In the moment our nostrils were filled with breath, God had a plan for each of us. He called us to be righteous, promising to lead us, as we are a light to the lost. Our beauty as His masterpiece is meant to open the eyes of the blind to the splendor of His work. We can make the same life-giving impact on others, just like painting of the stormy beach hung in the rehabilitation center. I challenge you to refuse to be like the painting on the bedroom wall. Be the masterpiece of light that God created you to be. He made us beautiful to bring glory to Him.

Matthew 5:14- 16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Incase you didn't know, which i'm sure you didn't, this is one of my favorite paintings ever. "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh. I did a glass painting of it in high school.