Thursday, October 10, 2013

Keeping It in Balance!

Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jesus did not say go make artists, musicians, singers, dancers, actors, athletes, etc. This is just to remind those of us who desire to use our gifts for God and His Kingdom not to get out of balance with first ourselves being a disciple & then being used (through our lifestyles, our time, our words, our gifts, etc.) to influence others to become disciples too.

Since Jesus said teach them to observe all that I commanded you, here are just a "few" reminders of His commands:

Mark 12:30-31 - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (ahead of loving dance, art, sports, etc.), and love your neighbor as yourself (the first and second greatest commands per Jesus).

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
My paraphrase of this verse for artists: Seek and desire to use all that you are and all of your gifts for God's purpose and glory alone - for the sake of advancing His agenda and not your fame or for the sake of recognition and the applause of man, and seek to know the Lord intimately through time in prayer and His Word. As a result and by His grace, your entire life and all you create or participate in as an artist will be a reflection of His love and truth, and His dream (or dreams) for you will come to pass.  (Interestingly, Matthew 6:32 - states that after "all these things" the gentiles seek - or in other words, those who do not know the Lord, worry and seek after getting their daily needs met (for food, shelter and clothing) and do not know how to trust God to meet these needs.  As artists, who are also followers of Christ, we have to remember that, likewise, artists who do not know the Lord, seek after their own fame and glory through their God-given gifts, and this is not what God has called His sons and daughters to, but instead, we are to stay in tune with the Spirit's leading and direction and seek to please and honor Him with all of our gifts and talents.

1 Corinthians 10:31 - .....whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Luke 9:23 - Then Jesus said to all - "Anyone who wants to follow Me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to Me!"

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