Inward & Outward Art

Lately I've just been trying to write honest poetry. It's all been about things that happened to me in my twenties. Poetry about my divorce; experience with sex, drugs, and rock and roll; and so on. Sometimes I feel somewhat divided, but that is ok. Maybe I should explain. Here are some of the things I've been contemplating.

As you all know, I have a desire to serve God with my writing, and I also believe that art is a spiritual gift according to our Christian faith. That is why I think it's important to try to write devotionals for the church, or poetry for other Christian web sites. One thing that should be hammered out is that some art is from God, and other art is of God. Here is where I believe there should be a dividing line. Art can be other things besides a spiritual gift.It can be a self- expressive or irreverent painting. This kind of art is of God.

Scripture is very clear that the Lord created all things. He created human beings with artistic abilities whether or not those individuals recognize him as Lord or not. When we look at I Corinthians 12:1-6, it speaks of spiritual gifts and how they can only be from "one spirit" and how they will only encourage and help build up the church body. I once saw a graphic painting of satan killing children. This is a perfect example of how art can not be edifying to the church body. Again this kind of art is only of God meaning that he created the person expressing this painting. Now art can be from God--this is where spiritual gifts come into play. The first part of Romans 12 speaks of how there are many kinds of gifts given to serve the body of Christ. In our church, when someone receives a prophetic vision, that is a gift from God. I believe that God can put something on are heart for us to express artistically. When that happens that is from God. I know it's semantics but I do believe there is a difference.

I feel that there are lines to be drawn with my creative writing. Some poems would make great devotionals of the Christian faith. This is what I call Inward Art, meaning art that can be brought into the church and used for the kingdom of God. Other poems are just self expressions and have no place in the church. Sometimes I even use curse words, nothing to major just simple things like "truth be damned." I think that this is ok because with those poems I'm speaking to another kind of audience. I'm just trying to be genuine to whom I am. This is what I call Outward Art that is not to be used in a church setting. I don't know maybe I think to much. I'm not at all saying all churches should take on this philosophy maybe its more of a personal belief. I guess I would rather be an artist as an occupation. Having said that I definatly don't see myself going to the church asking for a job and I guess I shouldn't. For me It's better to be an occupational artist who likes to give to the church whenever possible. So there you have it. That's my flavor!