From the Easel: Don’t Touch the Glory

I began to paint angels around 2003. When I first experimented with the image that would become a signature of my artistic style, I clearly heard Holy Spirit say, “Don’t touch the glory.” What that meant for me as an artist was direction to not even think about creating a face for my angels. I was reminded of this directive this morning in my quiet time.

This morning the Lord took me to Isaiah 42:8

“I am the Lord, that is My name;

I will not give My glory to another,

Nor My praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

Many a church and ministry has failed in the end because pride got in the way for the leaders of the church or ministry. People began to “read their own press” and touched the glory meant for the Lord. 

I say it often and it bears repeating, “It’s not about you.” I don’t care how many years of experience you have, how many successful projects you have produced, the number of people who attend your gigs, or how many books or albums you have sold. Don’t touch the glory. 

Stay humble before the Lord and before men. 

James puts it this way, 

Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

Do you want more grace to fulfill your God-given purpose? Do you want more of God’s empowering Presence enabling you to be who He created you to be and to do what He created you to do? 

Stay humble before God and man.

Don’t touch the glory.