God Uses Artists Craftsman & Designers

God Uses Artists, Craftsman & Designers

Every once in a while, I'll be talking to someone about what God has called us to do as missionaries, and the person will get a weird look on their face. I can tell that they are thinking "if they're not preaching crusades, or pastoring a church, then its not missions." Friends, let me tell you thats not the case. It may seem like a non-traditional ministry, but this is not new in God's plan.

Look at what God's Word says about Bezalel and Oholiam in Exodus 35: 30-35:

"…he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers…— all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Bezalel and Oholiam were called to build the tabernacle where God was going to reside. Bezalel and Oholiam were artists, craftsmen, designers, and teachers. This was vital if the tabernacle was going to be built to the specifications that God gave to Moses. Not only that, but God wanted the very best that Israel had to offer. That means no small, cheap, or shabby way of doing things. He called in the professionals to do the work. He didn't just call them to do the work, God filled them with His Spirit so they could do the work on a much higher level.

This is a powerful word for all artists, craftsman, and designers in todays world. Just like with Bezalel and Oholiam, God has called us and filled us with the Holy Spirit, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. Everything from sketching, to painting, from the click of the shutter, to the final edited photograph, from the concept, to final design, from an idea, to a finished art piece, from the story board, to the fully edited video. God calls artists to build his Kingdom.

I will never forget the words my high school art teacher, Mrs. Gilliland, told me. "Artists don't just create beautiful things, they are problem solvers. They use art and creative thinking to solve problems that other people have a hard time solving." This is the case for all artists, craftsman, and designers. We are problem solvers, we see solutions that others may not.

Artists, craftsman, and designers are like Joshua and Hur during the battle against the Amalekites in Exodus 17. God told Moses as long as he held his staff in the air the Israelites would win, but when his arms fell they would start loosing. Joshua and Hur helped to hold up Moses hands so that Israel could see victory over the Amalekites. Its our job as artists, craftsman, and designers to help hold up the churches, pastors, and missionaries so that they can see victory in their efforts to tell the world who Jesus is.

Think about this: without artists, craftsman, and designers;

• there would be no architects to design our church buildings.
• there would be no painters to paint the walls.
• there would be no carpenters to carve and make the pews.
• there would be no lighting techs to have beautifully lit stages & podiums
• there would be no audio engineers to make sure people can clearly hear the messages preached
• there would be no typographers to develop fonts to be displayed on bulletins or screens.
• there would be no photographers to capture beautiful images of God at work.
• there would be no designers to create all the marketing and advertising materials we use to help bring people to our churches.
• there would be no videographers/cinematographers who film, edit, and distribute our services.
• there would be no embroiderers to make the beautiful carpets, seat covers, and curtains.
• there would be no writers that could write sermons.

I think its safe to say that without artists, craftsman, and designers our churches wouldn't be what they are today. When God wants the best he sends artists, craftsman, and designers to help so the job gets done right and beautifully.

The next time an artist, craftsman, or designer expresses their desire to use their gifts to win the lost for Jesus Christ, encourage them with the story of the artists and craftsman who God called to build his tabernacle.

If your an artist, craftsman, or designer let the story of Bezale and Oholiam be an encouragement to you. Pray, asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, and give you the skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.