Remember that one time you saw that piece of art and it just stuck with you? You witnessed that powerful dance. You learned that one story that you could re-tell to anyone at any time. Don't even mention that catchy commercial jingle!
"Nic at Night! Here's the story of Nic at night! What the Savior said to
that good man and what began when Jesus met with Nic at night!"
I had one field worker tell me that he could never understand how I could use the arts to reach people with the Good News. He was a doctor meeting physical needs constantly. Hey, mister, I said under my breath, don't limit God to what He can do and what He can use. A year later, I was in India dancing with the street kids, singing about Jesus in their language. I was sharing stories of Jesus through henna on my hands to women from all backgrounds, Muslim and Hindu, educated and illiterate. I was able to develop relationships, sharing a new story each time we met and discipling young ladies. Now God had already given me the talents for this purpose, I just needed to be obedient in building my skill-set and sharing wherever I was! He wants to use us to make His Name known -- what a calling!
Be encouraged! God is the Ultimate Artist and His greatest creation is you.
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| The outcast woman who bled for 12 years has faith that Jesus will heal her in the midst of the crowd and the many years of wasted treatment. Luke 8:40-48 |
From Haiti to India, I've seen God work mightily through the arts. He is an Artist after all, and He created me with specific skills to be used for His Kingdom. Whether it was through photography, music, henna, dance or some other form of art, He was telling His Story through these culturally appropriate venues. What did He specifically equip you with?
Are there refugees in your community? There's likely a retirement home within 5 miles of your house. Foster families, homeless shelters, lawn work, free medical clinics for the poor, library programs, school volunteer projects. Think about the thousands of international students who attend school here and are never invited into a home.
You don't have to go, they're already here.
Gen 2:7, Psalm 139:14, 2 Cor 3:5, 1 Cor 12:14, 1 Cor 10:31
If you're still not so sure if God can use you, here's an encouraging quote from Christine Caine:
"Abraham was old (Genesis 17:1; 24:1), Sarah was impatient (Genesis 16), Noah got drunk (Genesis 25–27), Miriam was a gossiper (Numbers 12:1–2, Jacob was a cheater (Genesis 25–27), Jonah ran away (Jonah 1:3), David had an affair (2 Samuel 11–12), Elijah was moody—one minute bold and courageous and the next fearful and on the run (1 Kings 18–19), Peter had a temper (John 18:10), Paul was a persecutor (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2), Martha was a worrier (Luke 10:40–41), Thomas doubted (John 20:24–26), Zacchaeus was short (Luke 19:3), and Lazarus was dead (John 11:14–44). But God had a purpose for each of these people. He chose them. He qualified them. He called them, just as he is calling you and me—to go and do in his name. And when he calls us, the name he calls us by is the one he used in the very beginning—good (Genesis 1:26–28; 2:20–23)."
