The Name of the Game Is....

This is the second blog post this month and I will be continuing on my thoughts from the last post, Painting the Bigger Picture.

Last week I only touched on how different personalities help shape our careers and how each personality and each career is important to accomplish the bigger picture. Well, then I got thinking about what that means to me personally as an artist. How do I work with other careers to accomplish bigger things? How do I connect with others within my own career to accomplish greater things? What are the greater things that I could accomplish? Where do I begin?

If you are asking the same questions, that's awesome! We are in this together, learning and growing. In fact, a lot of my questions still go unanswered, but this is a start: looking at what working toward the bigger picture means, once more....

Life is like a sports game. You must use strategy when planning, and your abilities to follow through. You need knowledge, and understanding of that knowledge, to be able to plan the strategy; and you need practice and determination to use your abilities to their full potential. And of course, then there's the ability to work with others to win the game. Knowing what each team member is good at really helps out the team as a whole. That's why there's always a coach to bring unity and function.

Each day there's a new name to the game. One day it may be chess - mostly strategy and not much action - and the next day it may feel like a Cross Country Race - mostly action and working against, rather than with, those you're racing.

But in the long run (haha pun not intentional), everyone is working toward the same goal: to win!

What is "winning" at life? What is it to you? Fame? Riches? Peace of mind? The most travel experiences? A gold medal? Maybe all these things.

But isn't there something more? Even if you are remembered after death, such as Michelangelo or Einstein, what does that benefit you if you are dead? We live, we die, we are no more. Although we may be proud of what we've accomplished, even our pride falls away in death. There is nothing left.

Therefore, the only things that must matter, are the things that do not die with death, right?

What does not die with death, you might ask? Let me share with you my faith! Here is a passage from the bible that I find explains it most powerfully:

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " Philippians 2:5-11 NIV

Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead and therefore did not die with death. And when we die, our souls are what live on in the presence of God. So then, everything we do should be for Jesus who is the one thing that does not die with death. We should be bringing others to the knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ so that they, too, can go to heaven and continue to worship the only One who is worthy of our praise!

Okay that being said, let's go back to the questions. Now that we know what the goal is, it will be easy to answer these: How do I work with other careers to accomplish bigger things? How do I connect with others within my own career to accomplish greater things? What are the greater things that I could accomplish? Where do I begin?

Let's start with me and branch out from there. I had mentioned in an earlier post that creating art is one way I love to worship God. But to reach the goal God has set out for me, it involves others, not just myself. I see my art as a great way to speak about my faith TO others, but what about WITH other artists? Right now, I am not a part of any group or organization of artists. But it's something I see great importance in because we really do feed off of each other. We gain inspiration and encouragement and we seek opportunities to better each other. There are many artists who work along-side each other on the same project because they each bring something different to the table! Two of my teachers in college worked together to create awesome fireplaces, outdoor furniture, and large decorative sculptures - one was a stone mason (Fly Freeman) and the other was a glass artist (Francis Muscat). They put their two unique talents together to make outstanding works of art! Here is one example:

Working together with those who share the same career is important because greater things are accomplished. Many benefit from the talents of Freeman and Muscat and together they make a cool team!

To work with another Christian artist would help me to accomplish more than I could on my own since we'd be sharing responsibilities and bouncing ideas off each other, and knowing that our efforts are in the name of Jesus, that others may see us and know HIM.

When it comes to working with others with different careers, it's almost too easy to give examples. Those in administration, those in business, those in marketing, and of course, those in art, all make up the galleries and showings that many enjoy seeing!

Different careers working together for the good of others is especially seen in the church! This is also called the Body of Christ. For He is the Head, the Coach. And we are His body, His team, working in unity to "win".

Fundraisers, charities, outreach programs... these would not be easy without many different parts! Most importantly, it's when people see how we treat others, that a light is shone.

Now the final question remains: Where do I begin?

And I'm afraid this is the one that goes unanswered. Because it is so different for each one of us.

After acknowledging God's glory as our goal, and acknowledging the gifts and talents we have, the next step is to be "confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

As an artist, I know that I can make a difference in the lives of those who see my art, so that they may be influenced by the works God is doing in me and speaking to them through my gifts, and I pray that the same will happen to those who I meet in this lifetime.

The Name of the Game is His Fame

I run the race, I play the game. It's for His glory, not my fame.

I've died to sin, so no more shame.

I fight for souls in Jesus name!

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:14) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil 1:21)

#painting #biggerpicture #fame #winning #personality #worship #importantthings #artist