By Esther Tubbs
Did you know that the arts are placed in those of us called to be artisans like clusters of grapes? It really is true! This “grape cluster” of the arts include drama, dance including choreography, expressive worship/sign, and mime (which incorporates drama and dance movement), music (playing instruments, singing,) writing (literary arts, writing music) and the visual arts (painting in all media, sculpture, photography, fiber arts – banners and flags- and fine art crafts). Film and video production fall into the visual arts as well. One or two of the art gifting’s in the grape cluster are dominant in all of us as individuals. For example, drama may the leading art expression in you with music a close second. In me painting and writing are the strongest. But the other arts in the cluster are resident in various degrees also.
So how does one know which of these art expressions are dominant in them? Being drawn to a portion of that “art cluster” as a child is a strong indication. Even as a child I spent hours drawing plus I loved writing stories. In college I started out as a science major, but finally realized I was out of place and dropped out not knowing who I was at the time. But through the years I took voice lessons, writing courses and painting classes and workshops. Was all that worth the effort? Yes! For the Lord then opened doors where I had the joy of both working and teaching in the art field. It is sad that many do not fulfill their destiny because they are hiding their rich talents in the arts due to the fact that they are afraid they are “not good or talented enough.” So it is important to ask the Lord to reveal to you who He is and who you are in Him. Ask Him to show your main gifting’s to you and then begin to pursue them.
It is also very important to explore the other art disciplines in order to broaden your main talents. In the early 90’s I began to step out in a whole new area as I auditioned and got a singing part in the street scene in Oliver. But “Climb Every Mountain,” was a song I always have wanted to sing. So, when I heard that auditions in our area were scheduled for parts in Sound of Music, I knew that I had to try out for that very role. To my surprise the director did chose me to be the Mother Superior even though I had no experience in doing either serious drama or sung a major part in a musical before. It stretched my voice training to the max but my desire to sing that song was fulfilled! That experience resulted in a major down load in the dominant talents of the visual arts, and writing as well as in my teaching gifting.
Therefore, to move in your art gifting, it is essential that you take classes and workshops in order to increase your technical skills in your main talent area as well as expose yourself to the other various art giftings. In that way the richness of the other parts of the “art cluster” in you will flow into your strongest talents. The fulfillment of moving in your gifting cluster will give joy and blessing that will please the One who placed them in you and loves you so much. You will experience a rich sense of fulfillment and confidence along with the creative multiplication of the talents within you as the Lord opens your inner being and then pours those gifting’s through you to many others.
The world is crying out for the true beauty that can only be expressed through the arts. Spirit-filled artisans are again being called to “build the tabernacle” of the Lord through their creativity. You may have the joy of being one of them!
Personalize these scriptures in your prayer time:
Exodus 31:2-6: See, I have called you by name...and I have filled you with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge and in all craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work…and all manner of workmanship to design artistic works …that you may make all that I have commanded you. 35:30-35: …and He has filled you with the Spirit of God…and He has put in your heart the ability to teach… Substitute your main art gifting in the “design artistic works” in terms of drama, dance, music, visual or literary arts and then go through the doors that the Lord will open for you. He has not given you the spirit of fear but the ability to walk by faith as you enter into your destiny He has ordained for you.