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Lessons From the Easel: More Than a Pretty Picture

  • Deborah 
abstract painting of faithfulness

“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.”  Rumi

I say it often. God is spirit and His language is spirit language. It is language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart. It is a language that uses pictures and symbols. God’s dictionary is all of creation and He will use whatever He can to speak to His children. 

King David spoke of God’s non-word language when he wrote, 

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

I often use the phrase, “more than meets the eye” to describe prophetic language and the prophetic art that I create. Prophetic in this context means forth-telling messages from Heaven. Sometimes I am aware of the messages in the images and symbols I create. Other time I am totally unaware. 

What I do know is that when I paint with Holy Spirit guiding me, He infuses His messages to the viewer in ways I often can’t predict. The paintings become more than meets the eye. The art meets the spirit and heart of the viewer.

As a painter who co-labors with Holy Spirit to create, my paintings become God’s voice when He doesn’t use words. 

Paintings become “more than a pretty picture” when they speak Heaven’s messages. Art in general has a way of bypassing the head to speak directly to the heart. 

Art created from a place of worship has the potential to serve as a gateway for the viewer, the listener, or the reader to encounter God in deep and meaningful ways. You, Dear One, are God’s masterpiece. 

You are “more than a pretty picture.” 

You are “more than meets the eye.” 

You serve as a gateway for others to encounter God as you reflect His image in your unique way. 

So, let me ask you, what attributes of God are you reflecting to others today? 

What message is your life speaking without using words? 

***The painting here is from the Fruit of the Spirit collection. It represents faithfulness as depicted by the strong towers in the midst of sky and land. The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.