The Greatest Artist - World Art Day 2024.

According to Wikipedia, World Art Day is an international celebration promoting awareness of worldwide creative activity. The International Association of Art (IAA) started the celebration in 2011 to commemorate Leonardo da Vinci's birthday, considered one of history's most influential artists.

World Art Day's theme changes each year, and for 2024, it is "A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art."

It never occurred to me that such a celebration existed. Perhaps I heard about it before, but I haven't given it much thought, and today, I feel the need to dig deeper into it. I couldn't help but wonder why we celebrate art - what is its purpose? What are the ways in which we are encouraged to do so? What is the definition of art?

Using Vocabulary.com, I looked up how art is defined:

Art is the expression of ideas and emotions through a physical medium, like painting, sculpture, film, dance, writing, photography, or theatre. If you love the creative process, maybe you'll devote your life to art.

Let us pause here and reflect for a moment.

It is impossible to think of art without thinking of the artist. The artist is an individual who is able to express their ideas and emotions through physical means. Many of their works, for instance, the painting above, capture the beauty of nature and evoke emotion in those who view them. A work of art is a powerful expression of a person's creativity and can be used to express themselves in many ways.

In today's world, we give a lot of credit to artists, but we fail to acknowledge one - the creator, God. Many appreciate and respect artists, yet we ignore the master artist and creator. And although God's artwork is everywhere around us, from majestic mountains to intricate details of flowers, we still fail to acknowledge the One who created them. Additionally, we fail to acknowledge that, as God's children created in His image (Genesis 1:27 ESV `So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.`) we have been given the gift of creativity.

I would like you to read through Exodus 35 and let it sink in, allowing the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth and of revelation, to guide you into all the truth. ('When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. `John 16:13.)

Our Creator has given each of us gifts, talents, responsibilities, and the ability to create and express ourselves. All of our gifts originate from God, and only He can equip us to use them to the fullest extent. The first step here would be knowing God, understanding who He is, and receiving the gifts He has for us. Having received God's gifts, we should humble ourselves before the Lord and allow Him to use us for His glory. As a result, our actions should reflect God's creative image as well as His divine character, and we should strive to use our gifts in serving God and others.

Friends, I would like to end by sharing a few Bible verses to encourage you.

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV `Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.`

Colossians 3:17 ESV `And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.`

Matthew 5:16 ESV`In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.`

1 Peter 4:11 ESV `Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.`

It is my prayer that you find strength and inspiration in Christ to be the artist you were created to be.

Blessings,

Emmanuella