Joy
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in you hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:15-17).
Be thankful. With thankfulness. Giving thanks. It’s easy to see how a heart so thankful would naturally break out in song. After all, joy is a fruit of God’s Spirit. How natural it can be to give thanks with joy and creativity.
In a culture that puts the arts aside in favor of the more “concrete” I’m delighted to find that art is given such prominence in His word. It was God who designated musicians in temple worship. It was God who called the artists and artisans to finely craft and decorate His temple. It was God who designed the garden of Eden with plants that were not only good for fruit but also pretty too. It is God who encourages poetry, music and passionate thanksgiving. The arts are by no means an unnecessary pleasure in God’s economy. They are a natural response to His own beauty.
So whether you’re designing a meal to feed your family or a watercolor to hang in the halls of congress I pray that the joy of the Lord would overflow your hearts and spill on to the works of your hands.
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