Working for The Designer

It never ceases to amaze me how great musicians, artists of all sorts really, are motivated and inspired in their work by pain they have suffered. This is true in all genres, all mediums, in the church and in the world. Even in scripture, primarily the Old Testament, great artists are colorful if not “artistic” in their temperament and make up. I believe this is because art is fueled by emotion (a good part of God’s design), perception, and experience. Indeed art is a creative reflection of what we see and believe – an “opinion” if you will. It stands to reason then that folks who have artistic gifts are going to find release and value in expressing what pain has taught them and how it affects their life. It may even be that this expression has a “ministry” to the artist himself. Many composers in the classical world have talked about the creation of a musical piece as a “painful birth” – something unavoidable and desperately inevitable. Stories of great hymn writers reveal poignant turmoil before some of the greatest lyrics ever penned. Contemporary song writers in the church often feel compelled to write about how God has used pain to bring them closer to the Light and the path of victory. These are often good roads to healing in worship.

This being true, our discussion of being an artist in the church begins with a question. Do artists in God’s house realize that appropriate and regular healing must be at work in their own hearts in order for God’s power and healing to flow through their art? It doesn’t have to be huge – it doesn’t have to be at light speed – it doesn’t have to be like the healing of others around them. It just needs to be – ongoing, and most importantly, the strong desire of every Christian art creator. Personal healing could certainly, and probably should be, under girded by prayer, study, fellowship with mature believers, and a devotion to the “inner life”. This last component is a necessity I have observed in the great writings of the likes of Henry Nouwen, Dietrich Bonhoffer, St Francis, John Donne, Annie Dillard, and Mother Teresa – to name but a few. Walking the “inner life” is not an exercise in self absorption, rather a discipline of laying aside all that hinders devotion to God. It is hard, lonely, and Godly. It is the place of clarification and the birthing room of freedom. In laymen’s terms, I liken it to emotional open heart/soul surgery, with Christ presiding as chief resident.

Many who read this, who are involved in small or large ways in church art, may react with various levels of skepticism. “You’re making too big a deal of all this” they will say – “it doesn’t have to be so complicated and serious”. On the contrary! Worship is serious work and those who lead; who create art, who sing and play on platforms, who write and perform, and who do it in the name of Jesus must take this journey of healing seriously. After all, it is the God of the universe we are working for and His beloved children whose lives we affect! And, lest we forget, it is the Good News we attempt to proclaim, encourage, reflect upon, and serve as artists in God’s house. Nothing could be more serious. And good. And God honoring. And encouraging to those around us. Most importantly, God wants His children to be whole and will do miraculous things for those who seek this healing.

So let us begin as artists in the house of God, with attention to our spiritual journey and any healing needed. It may be the healing of one event, the healing of a lifetime, recovery and twelve step work, or simply ongoing prayer for purity of heart, mind and spirit. This must be a healing we thirst and long for, ask for, entreat others to help us with, and above all be honest about. It is then our art will find a voice and a mission – to serve Christ and His church – and to be a blessing for the world to see.