Art & Soul post #38 by guest author Christopher Brock
At the end of 2021, our dear friend Elana invited my wife and I to attend a Christmas-themed Painter’s Palette Canvas Painting Night fundraiser for the art club at the high school where she teaches. When we received the invite, we immediately signed up to participate. I felt rather excited as the event drew near. When I was younger, I always enjoyed painting. At one point in time, I had painted more than a dozen abstract paintings. I always found abstract paintings interesting. The way that the lines of color would come together and the shapes that could be created always fascinated me. However, one evening while I was away from my home, the house was burglarized and the paintings were stolen. Since that happened, I had never had the opportunity to paint again. That is until we received the invite from Elana.
I was not only excited about the opportunity to get to paint again, but also about the opportunity to be able to spend an evening with my wife doing something together that we had not previously done as a couple. Between leading our own ministry, working at our church, raising our children, and being responsible for a variety of other activities, we truly cherish the opportunities we have to do things together as a couple, especially when they are something new. I knew that this evening would provide us with a great opportunity to create a new memory together.
When we arrived at the event, I was still not sure what painting we would be creating. I soon found out that the painting would depict the three wise men as they traveled toward the manger where Jesus was. I had never really tried to paint something that was not abstract so I was not sure how things would go. As we started the process, I found that it was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it may be. One of the critical aspects of the painting was the blending of colors to create a natural transition in the lights of the sky. As I was doing this portion of the painting, I was reminded of the abstract paintings that I used to create. The process of seeing the colors blend to create new ones was very satisfying and creating a natural progression of colors across the sky was something that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Not only did I enjoy the process of creating my painting, but what truly made the evening special was being able to sit next to my wife and watch her create her own version as well. As we each painted it was so interesting to see little flashes of our individual personalities coming through. The painting was the same general design and depicted the same scene and yet, there was no mistaking the differences between the two versions. By the time it was done there was no doubt which painting belonged to me and which painting belonged to her. I believe that this was a beautiful example of how God has created each of us differently and uniquely. Not only have we been created uniquely by Him, but that uniqueness is then reflected in the things that we create. May God be glorified!
By the end of the evening, my wife and I had both created not only a beautiful painting, but also a wonderful memory together. Today we have both of our paintings on display in our home and have had the opportunity to attend other art events as well. As a result of these events, we have added to our art collection and look forward to one day being able to display these in the ministry building that we believe will be coming in the future.
In addition, remember how I mentioned that I used to create abstract paintings when I was young? Several months after my wife and I had the opportunity to create our first painting together, I was blessed to be able to create an abstract painting again. One evening, my wife was leading a lady’s ministry group, and my daughter, my younger son, and I painted together. I created a small painting and made a great memory with a couple of our children. This was the first time I had created an abstract painting in over 20 years, and I certainly believe that it will not be the last!
As I reflect more and more on these experiences, I am reminded that although God has created each of us uniquely, just like the different paintings, there is also an enemy who desires to deceive us. The enemy wants to make us think that we are not special, that we are not gifted or talented, and that we cannot express who He has created us to be. If that is you today then the Lord wants you to know that you are His masterpiece. He blended together every part of your being with the most vibrant of colors and the greatest of techniques. Every brushstroke was made with perfect precision and no detail was overlooked. In fact, you are made in His image (Genesis 1:26)! “Therefore you are perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). You are His greatest expression of art, and it is time for you to accept who you are. You are created to be His child and to love Him and be loved by Him!
Pastor Christopher Brock
3 thoughts on “Uniquely Created”
Thanks so much for sharing your artwork and story! Your message is so true and encouraging!
Please see below words from song we sing at the Salvation Army Cwmbran Corps.
Glory, honour and power. Made in the likeness of God. Given dominion over all the earth. Made in the likeness of God. (Salvation Army Cwmbran Corps)
Please see words from songs we sing at the Salvation Army Cwmbran Corps.
Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit in me. Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit in me. Wash me, cleanse me, purify me. Make my heart as white as snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit in me. (Salvation Army Cwmbran Corps)
Purify my heart. Let me be as gold and precious silver. Purify my heart. Let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner’s fire! My one heart’s desire is to be holy. Set apart for you, Lord. I choose to be holy. Set apart for you, my master. Ready to do your will.
Purify my heart. Cleanse me from my sin and make me holy. Purify my heart. Cleanse me from my sin, deep within.
Refiner’s fire! My one heart’s desire is to be holy. Set apart for you, Lord. I choose to be holy. Set apart for you, my master. Ready to do your will. (Salvation Army Cwmbran Corps)
You are beautiful beyond description, too marvellous for words, too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard. Who can grasp your infinite wisdom? Who can fathom the depths of your love? You are beautiful beyond description. Majesty! enthroned above.
I stand, I stand in awe of you. I stand, I stand in awe of you. Holy God to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of you. I stand in awe of you. (Salvation Army Cwmbran Corps)
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in him always and feed on his word. Make friends of God’s children. Help those who are weak. Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on. Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be. Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let him be thy guide and run not before him whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord and looking to Jesus still trust in his word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul. Each thought and each motive beneath his control. Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love thou soon shall be fitted for service above. (Salvation Army Cwmbran Corps)
All that I am. All I can be. All that I have. All that is me. Accept and use, Lord, as you would choose, Lord. Right now! Today! Take every passion, every skill. Take all my dreams and bend them to your will. My all I give, Lord. For you i’ll live, Lord. Come what may.
Often I come with my problems and cares running to you when distressed but I must give you the whole of my life. Lord, I must give you the best.
All that I am. All I can be. All that I have. All that is me. Accept and use, Lord, as you would choose, Lord. Right now! Today! Take every passion, every skill. Take all my dreams and bend them to your will. My all I give, Lord. For you i’ll live, Lord. Come what may.
Life has no purpose unless it is yours. Life without you has no goal. All that I need for fulfilling your will is knowing that you’re in control.
All that I am. All I can be. All that I have. All that is me. Accept and use, Lord, as you would choose, Lord. Right now! Today! Take every passion, every skill. Take all my dreams and bend them to your will. My all I give, Lord. For you i’ll live, Lord. Come what may. (Salvation Army Song Book)