What is Art?

God  is glorified when we put words on paper.

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest

“In the beginning, God created . . . .” Gen.1:1.

On my plane ride home from Switzerland this week, I sat by an artist. She showed me recent drawings in her sketch pad and photographs of her paintings. I was in awe. Her work went beyond realism and into an expressive realm of profound artistic mastery.

“I found my voice last year,” she said. That’s what she called it, her “voice.” We use that same term in writing, but I didn’t realize painters and other artists of all types used it, too.

I believe her when she says that she’s found her voice. Her work is unique. I’ve never seen anything like it. It is wholly and beautifully her own.

In Switzerland, we had our own artistic master in author Mary DeMuth. She taught our small group of writers for a week in the serene and pastoral setting of Burtigny. Mary found her voice years ago. Her writing is lyrical and poetic, powerful and emotive. Her writing is decidedly Mary.

Each of the writers in our group possesses their individual voice and many of them have learned how to wield it, commanding it to work for them, accomplishing the goal they have for their writing. Some are still striving to find their voice, and each piece of writing brings them closer to that realization.

The simple thought I’m bringing to the page today pertains to the definition of art. The definition I currently hold has to do with the revealing of the artist’s voice, meaning who they are is exposed and expressed in what they have created. It is in that expression where art forms.

We are the Father’s creation. We are his workmanship. His voice is clearly heard and seen in all that he made. The beauty of the Father is found in what he crafted.

The same is true for his creation. We, as his image bearers, are creators. And it is when we create from the essence of who we are, no longer bound to the constraints of following strict how-to’s of our early days of making things, when our voice emerges and takes center stage. The diligence and hard work of learning our craft gives way to the voice we each possess.

The glory of who our Father is resounds in the sounding off of our voices, creating a chorus of praise as we lift back to him and to the rest of creation the essence of who we are.

As we use our voices and show who we are, the Father is glorified.

His work shines out when we are heard and seen.

Allow the essence of who you are to be revealed and “. . . show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” I Peter 2:9.

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand” Is. 64:8.

“. . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Matt. 5:16.

Learn your craft.

Do the hard work.

Listen and watch for your voice to emerge.

Praise the Father when you see it and when you hear it . . . you will know.

And then declare his beauty to the world so that they may see your beauty and delight in his goodness!

TWEETABLES

Yes, bringing words to the page is art - thoughts from @SarahVanDiest (Click to Tweet)

"As we use our voices and show who we are, the Father is glorified." @SarahVanDiest (Click to Tweet)

Educated as a teacher, Sarah taught school for nearly 20 years. As a young woman, she lived in China amid the rice paddies and water buffalo near Changsha, and then later taught English in Costa Rica for four years and raised her two sons. 

Sarah is married for the second time, the mother of 2 boys and the step-mother to 3 more. She and her husband, David, work together in their agency The Van Diest Literary Agency. Her full name is Sarah Ruth Gerke Van Diest. She’s 5’5” and cuts her hair when stress overtakes her. 

She is a freelance editor (including a New York Times and USA Today bestseller), blogger (The Write Conversation) and writer for hire. Her first book releases with NavPress in 2018. 

http://christianliteraryagency.com/

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