masterpiece

If you have never explored an art museum with an artist, you should add it to your bucket list.

Tonight I went exploring The McNay Art Museum with 2 sweet friends, one of which is a true lover of art. Being an artist herself, she not only enjoys looking at each piece, but she appreciates it and has a true depth of knowledge about the artists, the time periods, the paintings and materials. It was sweet learning from her and sweeter getting to watch her come alive and spill joy as she moved from masterpiece to masterpiece.

 Honestly, I didn’t agree to go to the museum because I was excited about the art, it was more of a “oh-that-would-be-fun-and-I-haven’t-been-since-middle-school” type deal, but being there was such a blessing. I like art, simply because I like pretty things, but I know that I don’t appreciate it like I should. I take a 3 second look and assume I’ve gotten all I can out of the piece and move on, unless it involves any sort of the color gold or glitter-then I might take a second look, but I could move through a museum pretty quickly. But it truly blessed my soul to walk through this museum for nearly 2 hours with someone that felt as though she was walking amongst greatness.

I just kept thinking about how individually wired we all are and how intricately we were made. The Lord must smile big when we find and dwell in the things that make us come alive- the things that he prepared and picked out ahead of time. There is nothing more beautiful to me a person in their element; whether it is an artist amongst famous art, a baker behind their mixer, a momma with her babies or an athlete on the field. I love that God gave us gifts and talents and passions-things that He ordained, but that we get to discover and foster over the course of our lives. Little surprises in our lifetime that not only bless us and help to instill a sense of purpose, worth and direction in our lives, but more often than not, they bless world around us as well. And how much sweeter still, when we figure out how to use those passions, gifts and talents for the glory of the Lord.

What a creative God that we serve.

 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10