Back in 2008, I was considering writing a book about the arts from a spiritual perspective, but God had other plans in this department. Still, I've always gravitated toward God's work in the arts and their influence not only in culture but in the lives of individuals.
I can't even count how many times God has used lyrics from a song, a line from a movie, a TV storyline or some other artistic expression to convey His love, truth, grace and provision. Whether we realize it or not, God has a 'patent' on truth. Truth belongs to Him; it originates from Him and He can use whatever means He chooses to communicate it.
I believe God is always speaking but it doesn't mean we're always listening. Sometimes, we're so caught up in our own thoughts and circumstances, we neglect the very One that deserves our attention most. Fortunately, the Lord doesn't hold this frailty against us. He knows our thoughts are futile and He remembers that we're dust (Psalm 94:11; Psalm 103:14). It's no wonder He reminds us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
In 2009, I was spending some time with my parents at their home when I told them about the new film I purchased called Joshua. I saw the movie several years before but I just had to buy a copy and add it to my movie collection. Well, little did I know what the Lord would do with this 'modern-day' depiction of Jesus and the impact it would have on my father.
I brought out the movie, put it in the DVD player, and from the time it started, we were all glued to the TV until the very end. When Joshua concluded, I could see the tears in my father's eyes. I knew at that moment, Jesus revealed Himself to my dad in a powerful way through this film--something that probably would have never happened through an 'obvious' religious setting. Jesus met my dad right where he was at in his own living room using what? A movie.
The Holy Spirit really does utilize the arts as the parables of our culture to bring forth God's eternal message. He uses them to draw us to Jesus and remind us of everything He said and promised. God isn't confined to culture, but we are as human beings. So, the Holy Spirit operates in a context we can understand just like Jesus did in His culture when He walked the earth. Isn't this amazing? The Lord really is, "the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). His methods for communicating with us may vary but His purpose never changes. His desire is and always has been to have an eternal relationship with us.
Can we hear Him calling? Today, let's surrender our hearts and allow Him to live His life in and through us in all possible ways so He may reveal Himself in our world.
I can't even count how many times God has used lyrics from a song, a line from a movie, a TV storyline or some other artistic expression to convey His love, truth, grace and provision. Whether we realize it or not, God has a 'patent' on truth. Truth belongs to Him; it originates from Him and He can use whatever means He chooses to communicate it.
I believe God is always speaking but it doesn't mean we're always listening. Sometimes, we're so caught up in our own thoughts and circumstances, we neglect the very One that deserves our attention most. Fortunately, the Lord doesn't hold this frailty against us. He knows our thoughts are futile and He remembers that we're dust (Psalm 94:11; Psalm 103:14). It's no wonder He reminds us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
In 2009, I was spending some time with my parents at their home when I told them about the new film I purchased called Joshua. I saw the movie several years before but I just had to buy a copy and add it to my movie collection. Well, little did I know what the Lord would do with this 'modern-day' depiction of Jesus and the impact it would have on my father.
I brought out the movie, put it in the DVD player, and from the time it started, we were all glued to the TV until the very end. When Joshua concluded, I could see the tears in my father's eyes. I knew at that moment, Jesus revealed Himself to my dad in a powerful way through this film--something that probably would have never happened through an 'obvious' religious setting. Jesus met my dad right where he was at in his own living room using what? A movie.
The Holy Spirit really does utilize the arts as the parables of our culture to bring forth God's eternal message. He uses them to draw us to Jesus and remind us of everything He said and promised. God isn't confined to culture, but we are as human beings. So, the Holy Spirit operates in a context we can understand just like Jesus did in His culture when He walked the earth. Isn't this amazing? The Lord really is, "the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). His methods for communicating with us may vary but His purpose never changes. His desire is and always has been to have an eternal relationship with us.
Can we hear Him calling? Today, let's surrender our hearts and allow Him to live His life in and through us in all possible ways so He may reveal Himself in our world.
