The Artist
How do you learn?
A visual learner sees the information being shared and processes it in their brain as a picture. The auditory learner hears what is being said and lets the picture develop in the brain. The tactile learner loves contact with the subject being described. You see and learn. You hear and learn. You touch and learn. God has given you an amazing ability to use your senses as the path of entry into your brain where learning happens. Did you know that you also have the ability to learn through smell and taste? “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” - Psalm 34:8
I would rather read the book than see the movie. You know why? Because my mind is far more imaginative than the director’s cut. And, I am not limited in my thoughts by time or money. When a scene is being described in the book I’m reading, it comes to life in my mind. The same thing happens if I’m enjoying an audio book. I picture the scenes. I see the words spoken as colors on a canvas.
Preaching is an art.
You are God’s artist. He has placed all the tools you need in you. Your responsibility is to select the proper canvas, the right brushes, the colors and textures you wish to use and to see in your mind the canvas as complete before you begin. You know what you must paint. You have practiced the pencil drawing in your mind. You’ve selected the perfect pigment and know where you will begin to cover your canvas. Prayerfully and carefully you take the first brush and the eyes of your audience are opened. Their ears are tuned in. Their minds are following your words like colors being applied to canvas. Every once in a while you pause. You let the people contemplate the canvas. Then you stroke again a beautiful color and cover more canvas. That’s it. You’re done. You have painted a picture of the text or topic God gave you. They know it now. They have heard it. They have seen it. It has burned a memory in their minds. When that has happened, You have preached. You have been a brush in the hands of The Artist. The Holy Spirit has accomplished His purpose through the gifts He has given you for the purpose of painting a section of Scripture into the minds of those who have ears to hear.
It takes years to become God’s artist. It takes hours of dedication to the task. It is a unique call of God. It is more than speaking. It is more than teaching. It is proclaiming the powerful Word of God to a people desperate to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him. It doesn’t just happen. Every great artist had someone to guide them, to give them the tiniest of suggestions about color and technique.
What is your canvas for next week’s message? How will you paint that indelible picture on the hearts and in the minds of your listeners?
What do you Nvision? Connect with me and let me help you. I’ve been painting for a very long time.
