Satan, eat your heart out!

Just a thought— I've been teaching art classes for about six months total now, and as I've taught I've learned some things. One of the main things is about warfare. God made us in His image, and an intrinsic part of that image is being a sub-creator. Creating after Him in other words. Everyone has this, not just some. But so many people don't see it. They refuse it, push it away, afraid they will fail, not create something “good.” Not everyone is a painter (yes, Shaela, it's true), but everyone has gifts, talents, little special things about them they may not even notice because it's like breathing.

Satan hates this. He can't do it. He is only ever an opportunist. He can only twist and kill, not build and make alive. We can take notes out of our heads and make songs. He can only remember when he could. We can mix colors to make alive a picture that existed only in our minds. He has only dark dreams. We can bring together elements of cloth to make clothes, quilts, sets, forts, boats! He can only scrape together the bitter threads of evil to try to make more. Above all it reminds him of the One he cannot abide. So he fights us on this. I'm sure you've heard someone (yourself, perhaps?) saying thoughtlessly, “Oh, I could never do that.” “I'm terrible at this.” “I'll never get it right.” “Everyone else is more talented than me.” “My sister can do this but I can't.” “My mom was creative but I didn't get the genes.” “Why can't I make it work?!”

Straight from the pit, every time. Now you may be trying to force a talent God didn't give you, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about an attitude that threatens your every attempt at creativity. Some of you are really hearing this and know exactly what I mean. Does it give you hope that this is war? Does it make you mad that the enemy has tried to steal this from you? Does it raise your fighting spirit? I pray so! In fact if you're reading this I speak a blessing over you— I speak a boldness of spirit to confront the enemy on your ground and take it back. I speak a fierceness in defending and claiming what has been given you. I speak a deftness and a knowing over your fingers, a wisdom over your head, an understanding over your heart. Remember the weight of our words (see earlier blog) and speak some life over your craft. Then rejoice in the trophies the Lord gives you to wave in the face of the enemy! Don't expect it to be easy, expect a fight, but expect victory! Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Here are some of the trophies around our house which we blazon brazenly to the glory of the Father.

Maggie's Lucy dress she made for the opening of Prince Caspian.

The boat Dad built for Maggie

Grandma's Story Quilt Maggie and I made for Mom

The duct-tape boat by Maggie and Boomer

Daniel's wedding clothes and groomsman's togs by Mom (and socks by Aunt Char)