Through the years I have been asked if I am a self taught artist. My answer is a testimony to the Lord. I am not self taught as much as Holy Spirit taught. Let me explain.
I had been a fiber artist for over a decade when I felt led to paint. I distinctly remember sitting at my first canvas and saying, “Holy Spirit, I don’t know how to paint, but You do. Please teach me.” I picked up my palette knife and began. There were certainly a few “do overs” in those early paintings, but step by step I was directed to a style that is distinctly my own.
Another stand out memory of Holy Spirit’s tutelage is the time I faced a technology challenge.
I needed a slide presentation for an upcoming speaking engagement. Whenever I had previously tried to create slides, the computer application I needed to use looked like a foreign language to me. The need was urgent as I sat at my laptop and prayed, “Lord, I need to be able to do this. Please help me.” It’s hard to explain what happened next. I literally felt like a cog had slipped into place in my brain. I opened the application and it suddenly made sense to me. I was able to complete the slide presentation without any problem.
These two experiences led me to look into the Biblical foundation for the idea that God has ALL that we need for ANY area of our life—and He gives it freely.
In my previous two posts, I have used white light—with its presence of all color—as a metaphor for God’s grace which has everything we need. What I have learned and experienced is that God’s help is not limited to our spiritual lives. His grace is sufficient for ALL that we need. Let’s take a deeper dive into what the Bible says about God’s provision in the practical sense.
First, listen in to Jesus as He taught the disciples about the Holy Spirit.
“‘But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.’” John 14:26
Later, the apostle John repeated this teaching when he wrote about the anointing (from the Holy Spirit).
“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27.
John was not dismissing human teachers here, but was referring to false teachers who were leading believers astray. He points out that the Holy Spirit’s anointing helps us discern who we should follow. This is true for us as well.
God will often put teachers—including books, mentors, and even tools like AI—in our paths and we should ask Him who and what to ollow.God also can and will tutor you lovingly in all that you need. His grace is sufficient. He will give you everything you need to embrace who He created you to be and to do what He created you to do.
The apostle Paul put it this way when he wrote to the church in Corinth:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
All three of these Scripture verses affirm that God is ready to help you with whatever you need. Let’s look more closely at the Greek to ensure we are interpreting Scripture properly.
Digging into the Greek, I looked at the word translated “all” in these passages. Although two different words are used—“panta” and “pas”—they are both all inclusive words that mean “all, every, or the whole”. I like to say that “ALL” means “ALL.” Paul does not limit God’s grace—His empowering Presence which enables you to be who He created you to be and to do what He created you to do—to spiritual matters, and neither should we.
These verses refer to what I like to call the “so much more” that is available to you and me through the work of the Holy Spirit. While I shared how God assisted me in my calling as an artist and speaker, I suggest that ALL that you have need of is found in God—whether it has to do with your calling or not.
What practical, creative, or spiritual dilemma do you face currently?
-Are you unsure of where to start a particular work assignment?
-Do you need assistance with a decision you face?
-Is there a relationship that needs tending in a new way?
-Do you need to improve an area of your health?
Invite the Holy Spirit to show you the next step. Give Him time, space, and an open heart to receive. Wait and listen. You might be surprised at how practical and detailed His teaching can be.
Journal what happens. Your journal entry might become your testimony to God’s creativity and His faithfulness to you.
God delights in you and He delights in teaching you.
Hallelujah!