God's Art

 

While out walking this past week, I was really captivated by the sights, sounds, and smells of Spring.  I marveled at the harmony of the birds singing while also appreciating the individual voices of the different varieties of birds.  I was stopped in my tracks by a small bloom on a tree that had yellow, white, and green in a beautiful design.  All of the trees, flowers and grass are coming to life in multicolor splendor.

 

Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

 

Things to think about:

·       It seems to me that all art is trying to reflect or approximate what God has already created.  Whether it’s paintings, sculpture, music, literature, even the culinary arts, they all are mirrors or interpretations of the eternal creation.

o   I sometimes wonder why artists aren't the most God-fearing people on the planet.  If anyone should be able to see the beauty and complexity in creation, I would think it would be them!

·       God has given us our five senses to be able to take in what He has done.  This is both for our enjoyment but also so that we can know Him better.

o   Taste – Psalm 34:8  - taste and see that the Lord is good.

§  When we slow down our eating and enjoy the savor of delicious food, we have a picture of what it means to slow down and intentionally enjoy God’s goodness.

§  Next time you go on a walk or a car ride, keep all of your electronics off and try to be observant and mindful of God's creation all around you

o   Smell – 2 Cor. 2:14-15 - But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

§  Some smells are very pleasing and others not so much.  They can draw us in or push us away. Likewise, our works done in the name of Christ are pleasing to God.

§  They say our sense of smell is most strongly tied to our memory.  Can you smell things from your childhood right now (Grandma's house, your mom's perfume, etc.)?

o   Touch – John 21:27 – Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.

§  Smooth or rough, hot or cold, hard or soft – we use our sense of touch to better understand our world.  A small touch can make a world of difference.

§  Jesus coming as a man was God physically touching the world.

o   Hearing – Eph. 5:19 - speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord

§  Words and music have the power to heal, to praise, to teach

§  What's your favorite Christian song or hymn?

o   Sight – Genesis 1:31 – God saw that all that He had made was good.

§  It is said that our eyes are the windows to our soul.  The Bible uses light as a picture of good and darkness as bad. People will believe our testimonies by what they see, not just what they hear.

Takeaways:

·       Slow down and intentionally take in the art gallery, symphony, and banquet God has given us. 

·       Give thanks and praise for the beauty He has created and shared.

·       Remember, you are part of the art and His masterpiece.

o   Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.

o   Psalm 139 13-14 - You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

§  We didn't come from a factory but were handmade

§  How does knowing this affect how you see yourself?  Others?