True liberty and fruitfulness is found only in a life redeemed by Jesus, the King of Kings.
There, I've said it, but only because that's what the Bible says!
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."
1 John 5:12
If you agree, you've learned as I have, that we grasp very little of the liberty this life offers and enjoy even less. But, together, we're on a lifetime pursuit to grow in understanding.
Scarlet, the painting above, expresses that theme—one I never tire of creatively exploring. The magnitude of our salvation is often taken for granted. Who can grasp all the ramifications of being delivered from darkness into light? It will take more than our lifetimes. We've been gifted a life worth living—the abundant life, Zoe!
It cost Jesus His life, and costs us ours—to be laid down in willing surrender.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it
more abundantly."
John 10:10
I chose roses to depict the transformation of Zoe. They are heady and fragrant. Their perfume is inescapable. Swirls of white petals contrast with the burgundy of red roses, visually overwhelming by their sheer number. Velvety petals invite the viewer to touch. The woman's face buried in the flowers hints at engaging the sense of smell. Her song of rejoicing can be heard, not audibly, but by the spirit.
I've covered all the senses, right? Almost!
Taste remains as the only sense that may not seem to be expressed. Except it is, by invitation!
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
Psalm 34:8
Zoe, the life of God, is a glorious adventure of faith, trusting Jesus, in the presence of our enemy, who comes to steal, kill and destroy! Zoe is to be experienced tangibly.
Of course, our liberty in Jesus is far greater than my feeble attempts to capture it!
As Christian visual artists, many "kings" vie for our attention. Without the Bible, we would ignorantly bow our knee to them all and sabotage our destiny. Timeless lessons from the Old and New Testament redirect our energies by narrowing our vision to serve only One, Jesus.
In 2 Chronicles 12 there's a fascinating account of Rehoboam, who grew secure in his position of power and abandoned God, a mere five years into his reign as king.
As a result, God turned the nation over to King Shishak of Egypt.
When confronted by the prophet, Shemaiah, with a raw indictment of his sin, Rehoboam and the people humbled themselves before God in repentance.
"Now when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
“Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may distinguish My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations." 2 Chronicles 12:7-8
This account struck me as worthy of contemplation for us as artists.
Can we articulate the difference between serving God or other kings?
Do we recognize when we are bowing to another king? Do we create art to fulfill God's purpose for our lives, or we beguiled by other motivations?
Our responses will be determined by our faith in the nature of God and our certainty of the presence of an enemy as described in the Bible. It's easy to disregard both.
The first thing that the King Shishak did was to rob the Israelites of their treasures. God had granted the nation great wealth, which he coveted and eventually stole, wiping them completely clean. ("... he took everything." 2 Chronicles 12:9)
It is God who grants the liberty to love, laugh, create, sing, worship and enjoy blessed lives—truly great treasure. Bowing our knee to other kings will enslave us forcing us to lose our autonomy, which lies at the heart of creative freedom.
As artists, choices for exercising our gifts are many and tantalizing. What do we paint? Where do we show our art? What will sell? What is popular? What sold the other day? What are the current trends, the colors of the season, popular subjects, styles…?
The temptation to bow our knee to become subjects to other "kings" is real.
These "kings" will promise much, but will enslave, instead of blessing us with unfettered creative lives as God will, if we choose to serve Him.
I thought it kind of fun to personify a few "kings"! An absurd exercise, for sure, but it helps me remember these truths—so here goes.
King Fame knows our craving for recognition and affirmation. He will use that vulnerability against us and strategically rob us of our humility.
"What harm could there be in taking pride in a job well done or a little ambition?"
he'll whisper.
The truth is that our best ideas amount to little compared to the brilliance and creativity of our Father, the Source of all our gifts.
Without God, we ARE nothing and can DO nothing.
It's silly to imagine otherwise.
If we do, we run the risk of eventually turning into arrogant scoffers who ask “Who is God?" The Bible has choice words of warning about scoffers!
King Sale pushes us to compromise to satisfy our desire for “The Sale". Submission will make us destitute, even if he promises us riches.
All the sales in the world will never satisfy like the "Well done, good and faithful servant!" from Jesus. And you'll never know that until it is too late.
I also remind myself to beware of the inflated hype of all sorts of marketing and trend chasing, which comes in the same pretty package of compromise.
King Sale will satisfy for a time, but leave us empty, since meaningful creativity will elude us.
No longer will we hear the voice of God calling us to the joy of sacred communion with Him. No longer will our work hold the potential to be a reflection of His voice in the earth, created in response to our conversations with Him.
Run, friend, run, from this king! He is deadly!
King Style is far more subtle. He is the epitome of taste, pushing us to copy and imitate to acquire a style that is current, fashionable, and of course, completely bland.
When he is through with us, we will be indistinguishable from his other subjects.
King Style will stifle our unique voice, choking any God breathed ideas that require courage to be birthed. Don't yield to his urgent demands for consistency in style.
The only consistency you need is that of seeking God continually for His blessing on the work of your hands by receiving and expressing His purposes for your art.
Ask often, as I do, "Lord, what would you like me to work on today? I choose to serve you with whatever skill you've blessed me with, and at whatever level I am".
That prayerful choice keeps me focused, producing work that I trust is pleasing in His eyes. If it is not, (as I could miss it by ignorance or negligence) then I trust He will redirect me. He has been so faithful!
Perhaps you will come up with other "kings" in your journey.
May the Holy Spirit help you recognize them at once and help you resist temptations to cheapen your calling.
It is simply not worth it.
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