Photo credit: Greg Weaver, Unsplash.com
When I first started in technology, I never really considered the artistic aspect of what I was doing. I was pushing buttons and turning knobs, and I felt like I was serving God.
All that is great, but it wasn't until much later the truth of what I was doing dawned on me. That truth came to me when I read Exodus 31. Now, when I'm training volunteers or interfacing with others in the congregation, Exodus 31 is my focus.
The chapter describes how the Tabernacle was designed and built:
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs… and to engage in all kinds of crafts.'” – Exodus 31: 1-4
When I read Exodus 31, it occurs to me that God has a special place in His heart for our creative service. He even put our artwork into the Holy of Holies.
The Worthiest Pursuit
If you have ever watched people work, you know that those who are passionate about their work bring more to it. There is an artistic aspect to their work, no matter what it is. Seth Godin, in his book “Linchpin,” had this to say about art and artists:
“Art is anything creative, passionate, and personal…. Art is about intent and communication, not substances…. An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo…. Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient. The medium doesn't matter. The intent does.”
The worship experiences we help create on the weekends is not just about the media art of the Sunday service. It's about the intent and the hope that the gift of our skills will change the recipient—and glorify God. Our acts of service are a gift to God. What we do is more than button pushing, because what we do can change people. It can change people's thoughts on church, change people's opinions of Christians, and even change people's relationship with their Creator. I think that makes it easy to be passionate and personal about the art we create.
That said, “how we do” is just as much an art as “what we do.” There is obvious beauty in the artistic end result, but there should also be beauty in the act of service. That way, as our art helps encourage people to know God, we ourselves are becoming more like our Creator.
