The shepherd painting has made progress! God has definitely continued to answer prayer. As you look at these process pictures, notice the change in the hands, the background and the staff.
Have you ever wondered if art has an impact? Is it frivolous, a mere decoration to life? Is it necessary, is it more than entertainment?
Did you know that’s it’s possible to swallow poison covered in sugar at some point and time in our lives?
I’m speaking about this in a metaphorical sense.
What good can art really do? It’s just another painting of an ocean or a lake or a still life …right?
Art is a changer of culture. It’s a subtle (or not so subtle) form of belief-molding influence.
Art is like the sugar, the honey, and/or the beauty, that encircles either poison or truth. Art, when expressed in poetry, music, film, or painting, can be a vehicle to mold a person’s mind, thoughts and actions in a certain direction.
Cinderella for example.
We have this story of a girl, who is in a hard situation and ends up in distress.
And there’s someone who comes to her rescue.
Not the prince just yet.
But a fairy godmother.
Hold it right there with me for just a moment.
Who was she? This fairy godmother character …was she an …angel? Sent from …God?
Do those two pieces really fit together? Fairy godmother = angel?! But the story is pretty–a princess-like character, lifted from a seemingly terrible life through the graciousness of a prince, with a fairy godmother who helps her get there.
Soooo …through the art of storytelling, we’re consuming a message that can say …”when in trouble, seek the help of magic and you’ll find that an earthly human being will rescue you out of your troubles.”
I’m certainly not against imagination.
Imagination can be great when used rightly. But if we take the time to think about it, a story like this, is not really written with a Biblical worldview.
A worldview wrapped in art can either help to transform or harm our lives.
Art is a changer of culture.
It informs. It instructs. It tells us what to think.
And we know that thinking sits behind actions.
That painted landscape? That story? That song? They’re all mingled with a worldview. They are all speaking.
And then …think of God’s creation! His artwork speaks–it tells us who God is and that He is real.
Who else can create such amazing things? His artwork is so beautiful that it refreshes. Think of how many times we’ve spent outdoors enjoying the beauty.
Or think of a story that clearly upholds God’s Word, points us to the truth and helps us to think on what is right. Again, this artwork influences us in how we think, in what we do, and in what we say!
Art does have an impact.
It can draw us closer to the truth or further away.
