I’m sharing something special with you this week!  My daughter, Ellie, wrote this in her sketch pad:

“Art is meant to be shared.  People enjoy art, and they love to look at it.  So make art.  It doesn’t matter if it’s drawing, painting, sculpting, or even taking photos.  It’s art.  It doesn’t even matter if you’re good at drawing or not, it’s art!  Even if you don’t like art, things like dance, music, singing, and drama are art.  It’s just the art of people.  So get out there and make art!”

When we listen to the voice of love, we are no longer held back by fear.  We’re free to become who we were created to be.  We can live into our personality, giftings, strengths, and possibilities!  We walk in love, as our lives are shaped by His love.  God asks us to each live out love in unique, artful ways!

 ^“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  ~Ephesians 5:2 (ESV)

With art, beauty is created and the world is made a better place.  The process of making art includes intentionality, employing skills, excellence, and work.  In our case, it also includes using it for the love of God and people.

This can include all sorts of aspects of life!  Our art might be through the beauty of a garden, with relationships we build as we share flowers or produce.  It might be through artful conversation over coffee.  It might be cooking and creating a space in time for people to connect while they enjoy your food.  It might be through Christ-centered leadership that creates a positive environment for those being led.

What kind of art do you create?  What are your abilities, hobbies, giftings?  How do you create art with your life as you love God and people?

Maybe you already live artfully in some way, but you haven’t noticed that it is a beautiful, meaningful work.  How can seeing it as “art” bring meaning and intentionality to what you do?  Or, is there something you would like to begin or lean into more?

“Art is meant to be shared. … So get out there and make art!”

List five things you can do artfully.  How will you develop or live more fully into one of them?