Into the Fire

Art: 1)human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature 2)the conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements. Or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty; specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium 3)the product of these activities; human works of beauty, collectively 4)high quality of conception or execution, as found in works of beauty; aesthetic value 5)any field or category of art, such as music, ballet, or literature

Interesting definitions of the word “art”. Invoking “beauty” to describe what is inherent or produced in art . . . So, when you think of a person who is physically beautiful, who comes to mind for you? I think one of the top five most beautiful women in the world is a lesser known actress by the name of Catherine Bell. Some of you might remember her as the JAG attorney and marine Colonel Sarah MacKenzie or “Mac” as she was affectionately known in the series.

What do you think of when you think of beauty in nature? Sunsets and sunrises? Snow-capped mountains? Lightning storms? Orchids?

Be it Catherine Bell or flowers, neither of those is a “product” of nature. They are uniquely designed by the Creator of the universe who in His being encloses and embraces everything personified by beauty. Nothing compares.

Writing is expression. Some wish to capture it and make it speak out loud, shout even. Others want it to whisper through the hidden chambers and locked closets of the mind. Still others want it to identify, or inform, or translate, or horrify, or ridicule, or titillate, or amuse, or stir, or worship, or strut, or intoxicate, or entertain.

Not once in the definitions of art did I see the word “subjective”, but art most certainly is defined by those who observe it. Trash or treasure viewed through the lenses of many, identified and judgment pronounced. Who can argue with opinion? Alas, everyone.

How many people truly love The Mona Lisa? Honestly? Now those who paint will appreciate and define quality, method, strokes, composition, coloring, detail, and hopefully not hidden codes. Those who do not paint might learn about and appreciate those very same things in any given painting but prefer other “artists”. Who is the better artist? Who should decide?

Take 100 different people and ask them who their favorite musician is. You might get 100 different answers. And, undoubtedly, the good-natured arguments on behalf of each musician will prevail.

I am not an artist. I cannot enhance what God has made or said or done. I can illustrate it with words at my best with His best prevailing through them. I can hope and aspire to have His blessing, His anointing, His character and gracious invitation to His love flow through them. Then those words, those stories, will be worthy of reading, if nothing else.

Father, your glory is splendid, un-catchable in its fullness while in this body of sin. Help me to be submissive to your call, to listen for the beauty of your words glazed over mine, making them shine like so many lovely lights in the sky of your creation. Fill them with meaning and allow them to minister your truth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.