Painting as a Form of Worship

Painting as a Form of Worship

Take a moment with me.
Sit back a second and reflect on the character of God.
Consider who He is; what He has done.
Ponder His love for you.
Now answer this question, “What does that look like?” Not in words, rather in a picture.
What does He LOOK like?

Worship is the feeling or expression of adoration and reverence to God. These feelings or expressions can come out in many different ways. Most often we see it in words through song in church on Sunday morning. Worship is also mentioned in the Bible through bowing, shouting, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

One of the ways that I choose to worship is through art. The very first sentence in the Bible is, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God is the ultimate creator; the original artist. And we, the culmination of creation. We not only see the beauty of His creation all around us, but we see it in His word. Just read the detailed instructions for the tabernacle, the place God would dwell with the Israelites (Exodus 25-27). It was ornate and majestic.

When I use art to worship, I first spend time in prayer and in the Word. I contemplate the things He is showing me; the truths I am learning and living in. And then I turn those thoughts and emotions into colors and pictures. Sometimes my paintings are of specific things (I paint a lot of trees), but a lot of time it is abstract colors and shapes. Regardless of what ends up coming out on the canvas (He’s not expecting you to recreate the tabernacle), the important part is the process. It’s about the time spent with your heart turned towards the Lord, loving Him, worshiping Him.

“Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among the people. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise … the Lord made the heavens.” 1 Chronicles 16: 24-26

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