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Final Words

MUSIC, MEDIA ART?
(For Pastor's Kids)

Why can't people make up their minds? I can basically put Christians in two groups. They either totally shun any kind of art or entertainment, or they are so into what the world has that you don't know if they are Christians or not. Where's the balance? Is it wrong or not?

I'm gonna use "the arts" for the rest of this article. The arts includes music, various aspects of the media, dance, acting painting, etc... Webster's official definition of art is "a work derived from the human creative nature". Every human is born with a sense of creativity. Whether it's small or big we all have it to some degree. But it's up to each person what we do with it.

In the right hemisphere of your brain you have a section of your brain devoted entirely to the imaginative creative process. We know that God created us with a specific purpose in mind, and I sincerely doubt that we have any extra parts. Isaiah 43: 7: Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. God created us to bring him glory in every thing that we do. I don't think that means that we need to only paint pictures and sing songs only of and about Jesus. But whatever we do needs to be edifying to everyone that sees it.

Art is meant to bring down a piece of God and show it to the world. There are awesome sides of God and terrifying powerful sides of God. A piece of art will show a side and it always touches the emotions. Humans are very emotional; it's what makes us different from animals. Art is emotional too. It is not always logical or perfect but somehow it will touch your emotions. Whether you like the piece or not you still are going to feel something through it.

People in the world look to art and entertainment often because they can feel a little bit of something bigger. It's expressive and even though they don't know it is playing on their emotions, they enjoy it. Unfortunately most of the art out there that people turn to isn't good. How many times have you turned on the TV and seen something you know you shouldn't but kept on watching? Humans have a need for entertainment; we all need to relax once in a while. In my opinion most art isn't sin but you need to be careful because there is some bad stuff out there. If you don't know what to use as a guideline. Every time you are watching TV or listening to music or whatever ask your self if Jesus would do it. You know W.W.J.D.

But if we as Christians don't put something better out there. What the world has is all that is left. I can tell you this about most of what the world has. It won't help you get closer to the lord and it certainly won't bring anyone else closer to the lord.

Because art can say things that words can't, it has the potential to become a great witnessing tool. Drama, music, dance, painting, we can all find some means of expressing our faith. A lot of unbelievers will come to see a play or a concert when they wouldn't go to a church. And because art directly touches the emotions it can be much quicker and more effective than preaching at people.

There is an artist named Shelly Jones Baker that asked God one day what she should paint. He immediately showed her a new painting she started the painting the next day, working by faith a praying it would turn out as good as the way she first saw it. Three months later she unveiled the masterpiece. It was the American flag with all different parts of Christian and American history woven through it. At the end the flag turned in to Jesus dying on the cross. I have seen the painting with my own eyes and heard numerous accounts of people being saved and healed. All because a little known painter asked God for inspiration.

Because every human has some creativity and talent. That means you do to. Think about what you can use it for. It's there for a reason. Everyone is different. I have a friend who can sing really really good but he cant write. I have another friend that's an incredible dancer but she can't play any music. I don't think I'm to great a singer or dancer but I love to draw. So figure it out you can do something. Maybe God has something in your heart that he wants you to express. See how he wants you to do it. You will never know if you don't try, but it could change someone's life.