By Chuck Carr
The following is a shortened and adapted version of “Do What You Do!” by Chuck Carr, originally posted on October 26, 2019 on Chuck-Carr.com. Used with permission.
When I was in college, I studied as an art major at the Penn State University New Kensington branch. I was in a mode of artistic bliss as professor Bud Gibbons was instructing me, and I trained almost as an apprentice of sorts to him. Spending most of my free time consumed in the art studio, it was the perfect blend of creative escape and education that I needed as a young art student. I took both oil and acrylic painting classes there. It was an exciting time, as I breezed through most of the mandatory class projects quickly and had extra time to spend on my own creations. Art was what made me tick. Art was what I had on my mind.
One evening at home, an image popped into my head. It hit me and stirred inside me. It was inspiring. It was exciting. A new feeling that I had not felt before swept over me as the image burned inside. I got out a piece of paper and quickly penciled out the image that was floating around in my head. It was both beautiful and mysterious, even as a simple sketch. The question was… what would I do with it?
I soon realized that I had to make a choice. One might think that it would be an easy one, but on the contrary, this was all new and foreign to me. I was faced with the dilemma that all artists that are Christians will eventually come to at one point or another. Will I paint what I am passionate about? Will I truly and fully reveal my heart and desire on canvas? Will I just go with mainstream media and paint what will sell or be popular in our culture of the day?
As I debated what to do, it burned inside of me. I could not chase it out of my mind. The image, and the excitement of the project, bubbled inside of me unlike any other work I had ever embarked on. The conviction I felt forced me to simply do it, and there would be no turning back. There was no way that I could keep such an image to myself and not let the world see it.
It brings to mind two of my favorite figures from the Bible. Craftsmen Oholiab and Bezalel in Exodus 31:1-11 were instructed to build the tabernacle (See also Exodus 31:30-25, 36:1-3). About Bezalel, God says “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.”
What an honor as an artist to be described in such a way! To be filled by God’s own Spirit to do the artistic works needed for the glory of God and the beauty of His tabernacle. To be used to this capacity, that God’s Spirit Himself fills you with the skill necessary to do His purpose and good pleasure! To be able to take the gift that God gives you and use it to it’s full potential! To hold nothing back and use every ounce of creativity He breathes in you! Wow!
Could you imagine if Bezalel would have succumbed to worry or fear and not taught the other artists? Nothing had ever been done like this before. In the newly formed nation, just delivered from Egypt (where art for evil purposes flourished), nobody had ever begun to use art for any purpose at all (except the golden calf). This new area of deep waters could have been a roadblock of nerves to the two men who would be viewed by all the others. Just like us in our culture today, they could have been nervous to use the gift God gave them. Thankfully, there is no record of such trepidation. Bezalel simply did what God stirred up inside him.
Well, I did decide to go through with it. I built the stretcher and hauled the canvas to class in the bed of my old blue Toyota pickup truck. In the studio, I stood there a bit uneasy, not knowing people’s reaction. But then I became excited that the work was now something tangible. I didn’t really need to do anything different than just to do that which He had stirred in my spirit… and that was to paint. I simply painted in amazement, as other students would walk in to watch what was going on. I didn’t have to explain anything. God spoke for Himself.
Since then the image has gone on to touch many people, in many countries, and on several continents, as I had prints made as ministry. It has been displayed in gallery shows and on public walls. I have no idea the plans of what God will do with the image He had once burned into my insides that evening long ago. To be honest… it is His creation anyway, and He has the license and choice to take and use it for whatever He desires. I’m just happy He picked me to start it.
So friend, let me ask you a question. What is God burning inside of you that you are being too shy or afraid to start? Are you an artist? Are you skilled in creative works, painting, acting, writing, molding, designing, crafting, or singing? Are you skilled in the realm of art and need a creative outlet? Don’t be afraid to use the gift you have for the purpose of the Lord. That’s the whole reason Bezalel had been given his talent, the whole reason why I was given mine, and the whole reason God has given it to you. Get out there and “do what you do!” I challenge you to break out of your comfort level and take the vision of that project that “burns in your heart” and make it a reality.
You will be amazed at how God can use it. You will be amazed at how God can use you.
Chuck Carr is an author who desires to help others live effectively despite hardships, as his testimony proves that sufferings can be changed into blessings. Losing a spouse in 2008, he strives to help those hurting from the same pain. A life-altering accident in 2018 left him with a traumatic brain injury, and his vision and life goal has been refocused to also include those suffering from devastating traumas. Chuck blogs at www.chuck-carr.com.
Jake Doberenz is a writer, teacher, minister, and creative thinker from Oklahoma City, OK. He is the Founder and President of Theophany Media. Additionally, he ministers at the Mayfair Church of Christ and teaches middle school debate at The Academy of Classical Christian Studies in Oklahoma City. Jake is almost done with his Master of Theological Studies at Oklahoma Christian University, the same place he recieved an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in Communication Studies.