ABOVE & BEYOND WHAT IS ACTUALLY THERE

While the form and technique are important and useful, it is the inspiration that I desire.  That requires my participation in the looking at a piece of art or the reading of the words that are written in a book; that is what brings life to that which is.  If a painting is simply a replication of what is there, it may interest me for the moment but will not require me to participate or give it meaning.  It is only reproducing what the artist saw and interacted with; giving meaning to him or her.  Rather than look at the painting I would do better to go and look at the thing myself, and have it come alive to me.  A work of art should inspire something more than is simply there for it to bring forth life.

When I look at my picture, Master Bedroom, by Andrew Wythe, of the dog curled up on the bed, asleep in the middle of the day, I am not looking at and concerned that the technique and detail is perfect, which it is. 

I am inspired to rest and to be at peace.  When I look at my picture of the sea captain by Joni, while the technique and detail of the man dressed in rain gear, lighting his pipe, eyes looking straight ahead is perfect, I am inspired to keep my eyes on the horizon because a storm is brewing.  When I look at my picture by Hook of Jesus as a young carpenter, shaving a piece of wood, while the technique and detail is perfect, I am inspired to simply focus on the piece of work that is right in front of me at the moment, and be faithful in doing just that.

As with art, so it is with writing.  I do not consider myself a good technical writer; adequate but not always accurate to the rules of writing.  But I am told by some that my writing has inspired them to enjoy reading the Bible more and looking more to a devotional understanding of its words and lessons, and that means a lot to me.

Jesus taught in parables and spoke words of wonder and mystery.  He wanted people to think above and beyond what was, because what was would someday not be.  God created forms to reveal himself to us, but those forms will someday not be.  Forms and technique may work as the invisible catalyst, but they must lead to inspiration, to think and see above and beyond what is actually there.  Inspiration is God breathing life into what is void and meaningless.  Inspiration causes us to look above and beyond what is actually there.