I was talking to my coach about my passion for ministry. I described art as my tool, one I feel I’ve been given to share the Gospel and see people come to Jesus and/or find their God given purpose, their ministry “tool” if you will. My passion is not the art, it’s the people and it’s Jesus and it’s introducing people to the one who redeemed my life an all that comes with it, including the art. My coach stopped me and told me it was the first time he heard me refer to art as a tool. That made me a little sad and apprehensive. This is always the way I have felt about my art, but I must not have been communicating it. The fear was that I haven’t been doing that here and if I haven’t, I’ve misled my readers.
Let me make it really clear. I love to make art. I do it nearly every day. I’d love nothing more than to use this gift for the rest of my life, but it is the means to an end and not the end in itself. My tool is art, my purpose is to use it and all my other gifts to point people to Jesus and help them find His purpose for their “tools,” whatever those tools may be. This blog is pointed toward artists of all stripes in the church, because you are my tribe. People with a common interest, but please remember, we have been given our gifts for something more than just creating, our gifts are given to bring glory to our Creator.
At least they should be…
Dave – I, for one, share your position. God’s Life Mission to me in my own art practice is; “That my art practice will result in changed lives to God’s glory.” I have long believed that all art created by God’s faith-driven creatives ought to be, in some way, an invitation to the foot of the cross of Christ.
To His glory, Amen.
amen, thanks for checking in Lew.
For me you have always communicated that art was a tool to reach others to know Jesus and have encouraged believers who are artists to do the same with their talents too! God bless you Dave the truth shines thru even if you don’t speak the actual words. Joy in Jesus
Thanks Victoria,
It’s just really important to me that I communicate this clearly. God has been really good to me and has blessed me immensely through this work and I just always want to make sure He gets the glory.
God bless,
Dave