The Freshness of Art

I have been writing Bible curriculum for second graders. This project has consisted of the Bible stories I have heard since I was a small child, stories like David, Esther, Elijah, and Mary. I know the stories; I have read the stories more times than I can count; I have taught the stories; I have written curriculum about these stories.

Today, I walked into the company that has hired me to do write about these stories. My friend and editor showed me the visual aids that are to go with these stories. Growing up with flannel-graphs and cut out animated representations of Jesus, set me up to expect something just a little better than that. My breath was taken away when I saw them. These were no flannel-graphs. Artists, real artists, had captured the humanity in the stories. I was transfigured as Mary humbly before Gabriel received the invitation to come further up and further in. I cried as I saw visually fire coming down from heaven and consuming Elijah's altar. The light from it was captured onto the faces of the onlookers and the beauty of it was transformational. Through these amazing pictures these old hat stories were fresh and new and lovely and awe-inspiring.

I was struck anew with the idea that God loves artists. They have a very necessary place in His kingdom. For they imagine and create. They in themselves portray God's image so well. And their creations make the old come alive. Pictures draw us in and touch deep places of the heart. So artist friends... please create, don't stop creating. You are needed and valuable.