How are you painting your picture?

Do you paint? I have always been fascinated by the talent of many of my friends. They are gifted with a variety of mediums to paint. Just to make my point, I’d like to share some of their artwork.

First, my friend, Marian, from Ghana, West Africa. She has more artistic talent in her little finger than I do in my entire body. She makes jewelry, paints and does pen and ink drawings. During my first visit to Ghana in 2003, she gifted me with this beautiful piece of art.

Next, my friend Laura Kirkland started painting years ago. I remember sitting in her living room floor praying for God to take her art and use it for His glory. Now you can find her artwork all over the world. You may even have some of her pieces in your home. Glory Haus carries her art in a variety of gift products. One of my first and most favorite pieces is this one:

Another dear friend who I have been privileged to watch bloom into an amazing artist is June Littlepage. June teaches prophetic art and also does commission pieces. She painted this picture for me after I returned from a trip to Ghana. While it may not mean anything to the average person, this picture speaks a whole sermon to me:

Oh, how I wish I had half of their artistic talent. I am challenged to paint stick people well. I’ve been known to say that I’m more autistic than artistic. It just isn’t one of the gifts that I have been given. Don’t believe me? Well, to illustrate a point, I’ll share a picture I painted during one of June’s workshops. Now you see what I mean. But that’s okay. How boring would it be if we were all created to do exactly the same thing.

This morning, in my quiet time, I asked to Lord to tell me how He sees me as and He said,

You’re an artist.”

Now before you go off thinking either I’ve lost it or God has, you need to hear the whole message…

You’re an artist. Your canvas is a blank page and your paint brush is words. You paint a variety of different types of pictures, but they all end up looking the same. You paint a portrait of Me. Everything you write ultimate brings the reader back to Me.”

I’ll take that all day long.

What are your talents? What are your giftings? You may not be able to paint or write. Maybe your gift is singing or cooking or figuring out financial reports to save money. It doesn’t matter what your talent is, what matters is how you do it and who do you do it for.

Do you ultimately do what you do for Jesus? Does your work point others to Him? As the pastor of the church I grew up in used to say,

Your life may be the only Bible someone reads. Make it a good read.”

You are called to be a witness for Jesus everywhere you go [Acts 1:8]. Yet at the same time you’re called to do what you do for an audience of One. Colossians 3:23 puts it this way,

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,”

Your work isn’t for men, it’s for the Lord; however, your work can draw men to Jesus in the process. Paint your picture, with whatever medium the Lord has gifted you, and if people see Jesus when you’re finished, then you’re more gifted than Pablo Picasso.