Above the Waterline
You’re an artist!
Do you have a vision for the arts? Do you value what they bring to the world? Can you picture a world without creative artistic expression? How ugly! Yet, because the impact of the arts are not as concrete as handing out water bottles or feeding the suffering children, it’s easy to think of the arts as luxuries not necessities to life. But don’t forget that we are all created with artistic appreciation and expressive, imaginative capabilities and to deny artistic expression in our world is a step toward death.
The point here is that the arts are vital to human life. For some people it may be an artist’s work that helps them open their hearts to a better way, to healing, to encouragement, to refreshment, even salvation. People need your gifts to be developed and expressed - especially if you sense this is God’s desire for your life. In the Old Testament God called specially gifted individuals to adorn the Temple for beauty. We still need beautiful works of art in our ugly-prone world! And let’s not forget that God “artistically expresses” Himself everyday through His own creation!
Here are some ways artistic expression is used in the world.
Artistic Expression can:
- Through a variety of mediums, connect with people’s emotions, allowing them to process grief, celebrate goodness, gain clarity, imagine a new future, open their heart to truth, expand their world view.
- Tell stories - the author’s, a group’s, even a nation’s story
- Creatively communicate truth in subtle and forthright ways. There is a place for sowing and reaping in ministry and Jesus used the art of story telling to do both! In fact, the Bible is filled with examples of artistic expression to reveal God’s truth.
- Help lift one’s eyes off their problems or circumstance to a hopeful future
- Help us remember milestones from the past and the echoes of life we lost in the “garden” (Genesis 1)
- Connect us with our longing and the hope for a better world, which God promises to His followers
- The list can go on and on! (I write more about this in my book. Also consider further resources.)
So what does your boat look like above the waterline?
What are your gifts?
Are you gifted musically? In graphic arts? Creative writing? Dramatic arts, Tech arts?
How do you long to use your gifts?
Is your art just for yourself or are you burdened to share your art with others? Do you like to work in a group or just by yourself?
Who do you long to connect with through your gifts? Who is your ideal audience? What are you doing to be equipped or stay equipped to reach them?
You’re a believer in Christ!
As a believer, there is another dimension to your creative life. I like to think of is as a completion of your life because Jesus has come to restore that which has been lost. Being a Christian changes our world view and motives. It leads on a path of redeemed life which certainly impacts our gifts and talents.
The “above the waterline” impact of this is usually a growing desire to glorify God with our gifts. It is also a growing desire for others to experience a life with Christ and these things can’t help but be expressed through our artistic expression. Also, our own journey of knowing Christ and being transformed by Him is usually expressed. This is easily seen in artists like Rembrandt or song writers like Johnny Cash and many, many others. Artists who are true to themselves reflect their heart in their art. This does not mean your art becomes religious all of a sudden, but as your understanding of God and His word impacts your heart you will change.
How might this look above the waterline?
Your artistic expression may evolve to include:
- A world view including God and His truth
- Thanksgiving to God for what He’s done
- Praise and worship of God for who He is
- A greater emphasis on your spiritual life
- A greater emphasis on the gospel and it’s invitation to others
Your values may evolve too and this will be reflected in your art and even how you do what you do.
