The Simple Complexity of Art

I love art because it is the most simple complex thing I can wrap my mind around. I live and breathe art. I love to create it; I love to see others create it; I love to show it to others. I'm not just talking about paintings on a canvas, while metaphorically speaking, that would do. I am instead talking about the art of life--or in this specific post, the art of life and ministry. You see, ministry has a lot to do with art whether people want to admit that or not. Jesus and the disciples had to minister in creative ways. Do you remember that fancy church word "parable." It's a story and it helped illustrate a concept. It was art and that same art is still as important today as it was then. Here's three reasons why I think so:

1) Art is an act of free will. Since the beginning of time, God has allowed us to make decisions. He has allowed us to choose right or wrong, black or white, naked or clothes, obedience or disobedience. Art is just one way that we truly have the freedom to make all the choices we want. What an awesome display of free will when an artist puts together a sculpture from a bunch of pieces of trash! Some people would say that is crazy, but in the artist's mind, he/she could do whatever he/she wanted to do...because that's what art is all about. In ministry, we have the same great freedom to let go and live free...take risks and see where it takes us.

2) Art is a source of positive release. Most great creations come from the innermost release of our souls. Have you ever had something on your mind and finally just wrote it down to clear your conscience of it? Next thing you know, you see a poem in those words so you write some music and put the lyrics in. Finally, you have a Billboard top song and you are making millions of dollars on one thought? Ok...so maybe you haven't been there. The great thing is that we have the potential to release that from inside of us! It feels great to get something on paper that was on your mind. That release that we call art is usually more than we could have ever seen. It's the culmination of our thoughts, the cries of our inner soul, and the creativeness given by a creative God that create this thing we call art. The wonderful potpourri of our lives presented in art make it a beautiful thing to create, witness, or support.

3) Art relates to everyone. There are few things on this planet that can boast that statement. The fact that art has the potential to be relevant to everyone is an enormous gift! Imagine all the things you could do with that type of influence. Music is one of the best places to see this statement in its fullness. Everyone likes music. I'm not talking about a specific genre of music...just music. It's amazing what power music can have on an individual. Some people's lives are changed by a song or musician! That's incredible if you ask me. But it's not just music. Art can touch everyone, everyday, everywhere in positive and negative ways. It is often at the root of most controversies. Yet, it can sometimes be at the height of beautiful things. Art is the fuel behind the definition of beauty. It makes life worth living because we all know it's there and makes us feel better, gives us a reason to shout, forces us to think, takes us to happy or sad places, and reflects our personalities.

Art is a passion of mine for these and many reasons. What's your passion? I'll bet art has something to do with it. God bless.