Discovering the Art Already There: Learning to View Life Through the Lens of Faith

When I was a boy, it was a time before Nike or Adidas. “Fancy” sneakers were not a thing yet.

But one brand stood out. The black canvas, high-top tennis shoe was the PFlyer.

The Flyer advertised that it would make you run faster than other boys.

And, at the impressionable age of 9, I wanted a pair. After all, on field days, I would win gold medals galore.

But my mother refused. They were more expensive than the cheap Penney shoes. I suspect the real reason is she knew the motive.

It is a lesson I learned many times. Our culture tells us that if you want to improve, you need to add something to your life.

It doesn’t go away when you move the tassel at a high school graduation. It only becomes more intense with different “sneakers.” You need a promotion, a newer car, a bigger salary, a more luxurious home in a more exclusive neighborhood.

So when I examine my life, I see the same cycle. If I add this, I will be that.

In his book From Strength to Strength (a definite read!), Arthur Brooks relates a trip to a Taiwanese museum. He hired a Taiwanese art student as his guide to get more out of the outing than just a gander at pretty pictures.

They came to an exquisite jade carving. Brooks commented on its beauty. His guide said it exhibited the difference between western art and eastern art.

Brooks was curious, so he asked, “why?”

The guide asked Brooks how someone in the West would create art. The answer seemed simple. An artist takes a blank canvas and applies layers of paint to it. In the end, the art appears.

The guide listened and then pointed to the jade.

In the east, they believe the art is already in the piece. The artist must take away that which obscures it.

I find myself looking back from that mirror. I, like other Americans, accumulate stuff we don’t need for a simple reason.

Without it, we lack something.

We are trying to fill in this blank:

If only I had…then I would be…

• If only I had 1000 followers on social media, I would feel affirmed and loved.
• If I only had a luxury car, people would respect me.
• If only I had $10,000 more in salary, the anxiety would disappear.

Whatever you and I name is the idol you and I worship.

Do we need something to make life complete?

God is an artist who has crafted each of our lives. The art is already there. Listen to what the New Testament says.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (2 Peter 1:3, ESV)

Or take Paul’s reflection on the importance of inspiration:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, ESV)

In both, it says simply, “I am the artist, and I have created the art. It is already there.”

Spiritual growth requires we remove the things God did not put there and let the world see his artistry. Take away what is not art, and you can see God’s work. Instead of a blank canvas upon which we put our wants, wishes, and needs, he puts a hunk of jade on the table.,

Before you say, “if only,” remember you are not the artist with pallet and brush in hand. You are the sculptor chiseling away to reveal the art.

Once we do that, the world can see the Lord’s handiwork.