2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

For many years we lived in NE Ohio and attended a wonderful church named St. Luke’s.  The worship was particularly good and much to our blessing St. Luke’s was really involved with the arts: drama, mime, dance, pageantry, painting were all part of the church-life there.

One of our favorite examples of the arts was when an artist would paint during the worship service (that typically lasted for 45 – 50 minutes).  St. Luke’s was blessed with a number of fine artists.  On Sunday morning, if an artist’s easel with a blank canvas was up front on the platform, we knew that a special blessing was coming.  The artist would begin painting when the worship started.

The artist would paint what was in their heart as moved by the worship.  We would sing and the artist would paint – inspiring one another.  The painting would always involve some aspect of faith.  The Lord used the gifting of the artist to enhance our worship and draw us closer to Him.  The painting would be sufficiently done by the end of worship for everyone to be blessed by what the artist had accomplished.

Importantly it was never about the artist – it was always about the Lord.  Fortunately many of the paintings have become prints that may be purchased and enjoyed.  My favorite one of all is a representation of today’s verse.  It is painting of a beautiful blue urn riddled with cracks showing the golden glory of God filling it and shining out through all the cracks.   Thankfully it is a print we own.

We have been blessed by this print for many years.  It is such a wonderful reminder of the dynamic we enjoy with the Lord.  He fills us with his love and glory in order that He would shine out through our lives – in spite of the vessels of clay that we are.