In this blog, I want to give you some practical advise on how I have been able to grow in my creative calling as an artist.
Tip 1: Demonstrate the Power of Prophetic Art
As we journey through life, there are moments when everything stands still, and we know that God is with us through His voice or actions.
Once we have an encounter with God, our faith in Him is heightened and solidified.
The value of Prophetic Art is realized when we encounter God’s presence and power through the painting.
In other words, the value of the Prophetic Art is in the eyes of the beholder — the encounter we have with God as we behold what has been created.
As we learn to listen to Holy Spirit as we create, we will have greater success in representing and communicating God’s presence and power in what we create.
Tip 2: Create According To The Culture
We live in an era in which the culture does not have the time or desire to read more than a few words at time.
Images are the new text, and the Internet is the new art gallery.
Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook have basically reduced reading to scanning images and videos for the stories and information that grab our attention.
As Kingdom creative artists is important that we make the most of the opportunity in which the message of our art can be received by our “image” based culture.
I believe this is why Prophetic Art is so powerful. One image, saying, or short film can reach so many more people today than ever before.
Tip 3: Communicate A Message Of Hope
Many of the people searching through the Internet are simply looking for something that will uplift them in some way.
There is a lot of social media advertising bombardment vying for people’s attention these days, as well as an overwhelming amount of content available through a myriad of social networks and search engines.
With the barrage of information and images continually coming up on our screens, it only makes sense that we have become good at filtering out things that are just time wasters.
How many of us have unsubscribed to things that we initially thought was going to be inspiring or helpful?
We will have a much better chance of capturing and retaining people’s attention when we are communicating messages of hope through what we create.
The more our art communicates healing, encouragement, true God-given identity and destiny, community and connection, and hope for the future, the more people will respond to our creative expressions.
It’s amazing to me how many people are not aware of how the arts can release the presence and power of God.
I have often gone to speak at churches on the power of creativity, and many of the people just think I am going to come and do art.
While they may have value for a painting, they just don’t see how creativity relates to them or revival.
It’s amazing to see the transformation in people, as they experience the prophetic and healing power that comes through the creative expressions that I release during a weekend conference, as well as seeing how effective the creative is in reaching people in the community.
Artists who are able to clearly communicate the Good News of the Kingdom in relatable and relevant ways will find more success in reaching the world around them through their creativity.
Tip 4: Create For Change
Art is intended to be more than just a “feel good”, inspiring experience that we glance at every once in a while.
Throughout history, art has always communicated the core values and belief systems of the culture. In a sense, creativity represents the culture.
The music we listen to, what we watch on T.V. and YouTube, and read, will influence the way ultimately experience life.
As believers, our art is supposed to represent and communicate God’s heart, as well as His desire to transform us.
Like so many in the Bible, God is looking for people who will use their creative art to portray the messages that contain the presence and power of God to transform lives.
Our words can create worlds.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then how much can our art change culture?
As creative artists, we need to ask ourselves, “What kind of a world do we want?”
Just think, your next art piece could provide the breakthrough to end the sex-slave industry, or become a beacon of hope to a broken, hurting, people group.
Tip 5: Paint Out Of Relationship With God
When Moses was about to lead the Israelites out of the wilderness, he had a burning bush experience, but he also received a staff that was able to release the power of God.
Your paintbrush is your staff to release signs and wonders to the world around you.
It is important to realize, however, that the staff of God’s anointing was supposed to be used within the context of relationship.
The power was not in the staff, but rather, in the relationship.
In Exodus 17, God told Moses to strike the rock with the staff. When he did, water came gushing out, so that the entire nation had enough to drink.
In Numbers 20, God told Moses to speak to the rock to get water for the people, but instead, Moses struck the rock.
Sure, Moses was successful at getting what he wanted, but he was not able to fulfill his destiny of entering into the Promised Land because he began to operate out of religion instead of continuing in relationship.
Religion trusts what worked yesterday, while relationship adjusts in what is needed today.
Jesus said that only did what he saw the Father doing (John 5:19).
If we want to be successful as a Kingdom artist, then we must keep our ear tuned in to the leading of the Holy Spirit’s ideas and strategies to communicate and execute God’s will through our creative expressions.
Embracing Our Creative Call
I believe it is time for Kingdom-minded believers, who follow the footsteps of Jesus, to bring our creativity into the forefront, so that people can see the Good News.
If Jesus used parables to lead people to truth, if Paul’s handkerchiefs healed the sick, and if Moses’ bronze serpent staff brought people healing who looked at it, then what are we waiting for?
We were created for such a time as this. Let’s unleash our art to the world.
I hope you enjoyed my blog. Let me know your thoughts about how you have grown in your creative journey as a Kingdom artist, and how you are impacting culture.