Revival in the Arts

Pastor Dominic Jones

Inspire Young Adults
 

Scripture

COLOSSIANS 3:17 (NIV)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Observation

In this passage, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the church in Colossae. He spent the previous verses recapping the sinful lives they used to live and how they worshipped the things of this world. They were more concerned about pleasing themselves than pleasing God. However, when they became followers of Christ, they were called to live in a manner that glorified God and demonstrated to the world they were God’s chosen people. They no longer lived for their own glory; they lived for His.

Application

There are many talented and gifted people in the world - people blessed with the ability to create beautiful music, to perform in the presence of others, or to produce works of art pleasing to the eye, ear or the touch. Unfortunately, many of these people use these God-given gifts and talents to glorify themselves instead of God. Interestingly, this behavior did not originate on Earth, but in the heavens themselves. Some interpret Ezekiel 28:13 to suggest that Satan was a worship leader before the Lord before he was cast out of heaven. He was beautiful, creative, gifted, and skilled. However, he was cast out because he became prideful because of his appearance and his abilities and sought to honor himself over God. It was all about his glory.

Today, many artists and performers fall into the same trap. We routinely see them using their talents to bring themselves worldly fortune and fame, while forgetting the very God who endowed them with such talents in the first place. However, Paul reminds us that everything that flows from our hands or our mouths, whether word or deed, should honor the God we love and serve. Whether on screen, on stage, on radio or none of the above, we are to represent Jesus well with our talents so others will give thanks to God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to redeem the arts not so we can be the center of attention or the object of people’s affection, but so Jesus can be. 

Prayer 

Father, thank You for the many gifts and talents You have blessed us with. Please forgive us when we have used them to glorify ourselves instead of You. Please help us to use these gifts to draw the world closer to You and to bring You honor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

When you use your talents, is it more important for people to see you or God working in and through you? How can you use your talents to bring glory to God?