I have been challenged more and more in the past few months to really look hard at the things I write. We all have a desire to share something that will have a great impact on people. As singers and performers we look for the right song that might express what we are feeling or a truth that God has revealed to us. However, there is a catch. If what we sing, play, write or tell someone is not based on God's Word, it will not last. It may have a temporary impact or it may seem to "fix" the problem for a moment but ultimately if it is not the Truth of God it will fail. If we want to truly impact our world for Christ we can only achieve it by being students of God's Word.
As artists it is necessary, no it is absolutely crucial that we be in the Word of God! It has to be so much a part of who we are that it naturally flows out of what we do. If we want to show the world there is a difference in how and why we are involved with art, God's Word is the ONLY thing that will demonstrate it. Does this limit what we can do? Does this mean we can only perform songs that have "thees" and "thous" in them? Absolutely not! The point here is that the Truth of God must be the basis for what we do. Can you find a passage in the Bible that expresses the Truth in the song you are singing or playing? Better yet, can you express a passage of scripture in a new and fresh way that makes it relevant to the people who will hear or see it?
My challenge this year is to let the scripture inspire my art. Let God's Word be the basis for what I write. I don't want to write something and then try to justify it by finding scripture to back it up. Most of the time that is when we get into trouble when it come to interpreting the Bible. But then, that's a whole other study...
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 55:11, Mark 13:31, I Peter 1:19
BOTTOM LINE
If you want your words to last forever, try using the words of someone who's been around forever.