Artists Taking The Mystery Out of Hearing from God
Many of you have shared that one of the key things you’d like to get from this site is insight on how to hear from God, especially concerning the purpose and use of your creative talent.
With that said, I initially thought that this week’s post was too basic, too simple. But honestly, it’s usually the simple answers that we forsake, looking for some “deep” mysterious revelation.
On that note, here are 3 practices that take the mystery out of hearing from God about your talent and everything else in your life: (You’ll see that I used two very contemporary translations to make the meaning as basic and as simple as possible.)
1. Secrets are revealed simply by PRAYING- God talks to us when we talk to Him. He’ll reveal secrets that we could never discover on our own:
“Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.”
Jeremiah 33:3 (Contemporary English Version)
2. See where you’re going simply by READING- Much of what God wants to say to us was so important that He wrote it down!
“By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”
Psalm 119:105 (The Message)
3. DON’T SKIP CHURCH!- So easy to be guilty of this one! God speaks to us by the believers He’s placed in our lives to teach, coach and motivate us:
“Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.”
Hebrews 10:25 (Contemporary English Version)
So, the initial answer to the question on “how to hear from God” lies with these SIMPLE questions:
• Do you have a daily prayer life?
• Are you reading and studying the bible daily?
• Are you a member of a church where a proper relationship in Christ is being taught and encouraged?
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that picture is great !!!!!!!!!!. Love the message it’s so true …God is very simple in his talking to us…..
Be blessed Charlene
Thanks for keepin’ it real, Tony.
Tony, Your words and wisdom are right on. I’m so glad we can be accepting of others’ wisdom even though we may not like their art. We can all learn from each other. Thanks for this site. I am blessed by your insights from God.
Charlene, Devin and Merry!
Thanks for chiming in!
I always have to remind myself that the simple things are many times the key to what my challenge is.
Tony-
This drawing is perfect for the message you share here. Keep up the good work of encouragement esp to us artists in Jesus.
Thank you
Thanks, Victoria.
Will do!
Are you available on Sunday to discuss in detail?
I thank you for posting those specific verses on this page. Because, even though, I try my hardest to attend church every Sunday, and write in my Prayer Journal, and everything that you mentioned, I still feel that I can get sucked into what the world wants me to draw. I feel as though it’s a never-ending battle between our flesh vs our Lord and Savior, directing us and guiding us on what and how to create his works of art. Even though we have these artistic gifts, I still see it, as His gifts being used by us for His purpose alone.
For example: I am working on an illustration that includes multiple characters in one scene. However, the characters are involved in different scenarios. There are a few characters who are engaging in sinful activities such as; drinking, smoking, and one other character is sitting in a bathtub looking bewildered after costing her infant son his life. I’ve been working on it for about a month now, and I can’t help but wonder, did I go about this illustration the wrong way? I was trying to depict how the world isn’t perfect and there is sin just about everywhere you go. I was also including angels. Before I began this piece of work, I could see this characters in my mind, even in my sleep at times. Was I listening to more of myself and not to God’s voice or was it the other way around? To be honest, I’m a little bit confused now.
Hi Liz-
My first question is, what made you wonder if you were going about the illustration the wrong way? Are the illustrations you did totally different than what you initially saw in your mind and in your sleep?
Tony-
Well, as the images kept coming into my mind. I kept skimming back through parts of the Scriptures that talked about sin, as well as checking out some of my devotionals that talked about how other Christians grew up as children in a sinful home, some that involved child abuse and others with parents there were alcoholics, and some that were mentally ill and couldn’t control themselves. And with all of those pieces that were put together into my mind, I thought that would be a good idea to come up with an illustration involving just how sinful the world can really be. As for being totally different from what I expected in my mind, I guess I’m being a little too hard on myself, because I was criticized by a Christian family member for a character that was in the bathtub without a censor of “bubbles” covering her up, instead I drew her hair extending it to a longer length. And all that you see is her stomach. The characters themselves, came out just what God had asked (I think). I just have to remember that not everyone is going to see what God had for me in the illustration. I apologize for the long response, Tony. My responses can be a mouthful to read.
God Bless.
Hi Liz-
To me, your follow through was right on: sensing God speaking to you with the images and also going to His Word (when God speaks to us, it will confirm and not conflict with His Word).
I agree with strategically illustrating the bathing figure so that the image does not detract from the message.
I’d love to see what you have so far! Any possibility of you sharing them with us on the Forum:
Visit the Artist Showcase forum here>>
Liz, I think you are doing exactly what you were meant to be doing. Questioning your art and motives along the way is NOT a bad thing… it keeps us humbled and constantly RE-ALIGNING ourself to God’s Word/will…. because even when you start off in the right frame of mind, it is easy to get lured away by your own imagination or to please other people.
Accept the wise counsel of others… but confirm it in prayer. Wouldlove to see your art piece also!!!!
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