A few weeks ago, at a wedding reception, a friend from way back asked if I was still doing any artwork. He had a miniature painting I had done twenty years ago, which he still admired.
A loaded question for me. I ponder it often. I have art supplies galore but take no time to paint or collage, or draw with my pastels, do a watercolor, or quilt. My energy these days goes toward working at Hallmark (and am involved in Stephen Ministry and Comfort & Care).
Now I love working at Hallmark, love my co-workers & my manager, love 98% of the customers:)
But...which is my calling, my God appointed calling as I look back on close (very close) to 60 years?
I have said often enough, and believe it, that if a person doesn't use a God-given talent, God will take it away. Then again, I believe being invested in people is the only lasting, eternal, thing we do here this side of Heaven. So, I try to evaluate my priorities every now & then.
Sunday, Andy preached on the 4th commandment, "Honor the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy. Six days shall you labor but on the Seventh day, you shall rest."
This week he focused on the labor part.
He said, in summary, "Work is a sacred activity, a holy, religious, activity.
Work enables us to be imitators of our Heavenly Father.
Work enables us to be producers, to be creative.
Work enables us to be givers.
Work is a way to love our neighbors."
I soaked it in.
Good stuff:)
True stuff:)
Andy quoted from Jacques Maritain of Christian Art: "If you want to make a Christian work, then be Christian, and simply try to make a beautiful work, into which your heart will pass; do not try to 'make Christian'".
So, work is an honor and a joy if we do it unto our Heavenly Father, and to bless our co-workers, friends, and neighbors.
And, if the Spirit nudges us to be creative, we better do it as well, for the work of art blesses God and those around us!
SO, to all my family & friends, encourage me to pick up those paintbrushes and pastels, or my needle and thread---on my days off.
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