As artists, we are influenced by a multitude of external sources. We may take from our family, community, affiliations, education, interests, emotions, attitudes, entertainment, travels, or even other artists/artwork. Not that we simply regurgitate those influences, but more so synthesize the information gathered through our own internal processes to produce works of art. Often influences manifest themselves in style, content, and/or meaning. Van Gogh's fascination with Japanese art is extremely evident in many of his paintings. Carmen Lomas Garza's work centers on her own family, community, and culture. We see examples across time & place of movements in art, geographical proximity, and cultural changes impacting multiple artists in similar fashions. As much as we would like to be completely unique and original, we are artistically products of our influences.
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."
Galatians 5:7-9
Influence is an extremely important concept in our journey of faith. Both... WHO( OR WHAT) IS INFLUENCING US? & WHO ARE WE INFLUENCING? These questions can often be glazed over because the answers are challenging to what we've become comfortable with in our lives. Things we watch, things we listen to, people we spend time with, and places we frequent can influence us negatively or positively. We must take a hard look at what we are allowing to impact our hearts & minds. Though we may say, "IT DOESN'T IMPACT ME....I'M STRONGER THAN THAT!".....scripture warns us that "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." (Galatians 5:9) The negative influences in our life can quickly impact us though we might not see it in the beginning. It seeps in and slowly starts to poison us. In Proverbs we are encouraged to keep good company..."Walk with the wise and become wise..." Those we choose to surround ourselves with can & will impact us! Also, we need to see that we are placing ourselves in situations where we can influence others. Sometimes it is as simple as a smile. Sometimes it is an in depth conversations about God & what He means to you as a believer. We have the ability to positively influence our family, friends, co-works, and total strangers! Are we seeing those opportunities? Or are we shying away from the responsibility that God has given us.
THIS WEEK...
- Ask God to show you who influences you most....is it positive or negative?
- Ask God to reveal to you things (TV, Music, News, Internet..etc) that might be influencing you in a negative way....and how you should respond.
- Ask God to show where & who you are able to influence!
- Ask God to help you make the most of every opportunity to influence!