Hebrews 4:12 says, for the word if God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
This verse talks about the Bible and it’s very interesting as it explains what it does. One of the things I did as a homeschool mother was categorizing things with my children. Two categories are living versus nonliving material. We recognize that a rock is nonliving whereas a bug is living. The scripture said the word of God is alive even though it’s words on paper. However, I have learned that at times, especially times of crisis. The word of God would leap off the page. I understood it before, but at those moments I had a deeper understanding. Plus at those moments the word ministered to me more deeply that I thought possible. God’s word will show you where you need to change. I have to say I’ve seen the Bible be what this verse describes: living and active.
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
The words Jesus said tell us the value of words from God’s mouth. We need them more than food. Because even if we die, we still have God. He’s what we need. The origin of this came from the time when Moses explained to the Israelites what God was doing when he tested them. He wanted them to realize the felt need they had for food wasn’t their biggest need. Their biggest need was God. He could provide food from heaven, if he chose. And he did. So far from saying our physical life has no value, the spiritual trumps the physical. We require the words from God to survive in this life and the next.
Many Christians in the past have avoided the arts. Many Christians coming out of the Reformation feared beauty and all that was related since they worried about it might corrupt the church. After all, Satan’s beauty corrupted him.
I think it’s time we rethink that, and I will tell you why.
I grow orchids, and I love watching them come into bloom. First, an orchid forms a bud, which swells gradually swells until the petals separate. What am an amazing experience! I feel like I am watching God’s hand at work. Many orchids have an intoxicating aroma that’s only present during the day while the flower is fresh. Watching this beauty unfold taught me something about God. I truly believe he is incredibly stunning. The psalms agree.
Watching this beauty unfold taught me something about God. I truly believe he is incredibly stunning. The psalms agree. You’ll see verses there that talk about his majesty.
However, in times past, Christians have avoided beauty and creative art since they saw it as a stumbling block. After all, Satan was gorgeous, but he became self-absorbed and fell into sins. The Catholic church had a similar problem. After the reformation, Puritans built their churches simply without the glitter of popery.
The arts and beauty can be part of our lives. I recall that runner, Eric Lidell, who said he felt God’s presence when he ran. I feel that way with my orchids.
Lora Zill is my guest today. She is an artist and has written about creativity for the believer.
