Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Beyond the Creation

As artists, we often are fixated on the physical creation of a piece of art.  It is what we do.  It is what sets us apart from those who just talk about being creative.  This physical creation is what others see of our work & artistic endeavors.  It is how they perceive us, and how they perceive how we perceive the world(Have I lost you yet?).  However, things can happen outside of our control, and the work of art can be lost for a number of reasons. What then?  Is all lost because of the physical loss?  Recently an outdoor art piece my students created was vandalized (beyond repair).  Though I was extremely sad about this for my students, it allowed me to have conversations with them that might not have occurred otherwise. I was able to discuss with them the act of creating over just the outcome.  What we learn from creating...both good and bad.  What we were able to gain from our experiences & how we can apply them to future projects.  Art is more than just the creation.  We have to value/treasure the experience. It doesn't have to be at the hands of another person or an "Act of God" ....sometimes we have to leave/lose something or some idea so we can be free to move on to the next!

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21

The Bible warns us about getting too attached to the things of this world. We can not place our hope in "things".:  objects, ideas, jobs, people, comforts.  Though none of these things are bad, if we place our hope & trust in them....we are not allowing God to meet, fulfill, and exceed our needs.  We've replaced him with a poor substitute that will eventually let us down.  Our culture/world seems to reinforce the idea that if we have the right clothing, houses, cars, looks, relationships, jobs, technology..etc....we will find happiness...we will be satisfied.  However, all of those things can be taken from us!!   When we know Him...grow in Him...and give through Him...and make Him known.......we have found the one thing that we can invest in that will never be taken from us. If we do all things in light of this...even our art...our treasure & heart will be in the right place.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, let me invest in the things that matter to you.
Allow me to not place my hopes in the things of this world,
but in you alone.
In Your Name, Amen