War by....Paintbrush?

I recently heard an interesting teaching by Bill Johnson in his book, Dreaming with God*. Johnson was talking about how God has used creativity throughout history to reflect his glory.  Take Solomon for example, that man who chose wisdom when God gave him a blank check to ask for anything he wanted.  The scriptures tell how the Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s wisdom and came to check it out for herself. 

“And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, …his ministers, and their apparel, … his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her..” (1 Kings 10:4-5)  The Message version says, “it took her breath away”.

Bill Johnson notes that the queen recognized wisdom not only by how Solomon answered the many questions she presented to him:  “The queen of Sheba was stunned by how wisdom affected simple things like clothing, buildings, and the like.” (Johnson, Dreaming with God, p. 44) She saw wisdom in the architecture of Solomon’s palace, the cuisine on his table, the clothing worn by his servants, and even the staircase he built to go up to worship the Lord.  Why was she left breathless over these seemingly finite creations?  These acts of Solomon were the byproducts of the creative wisdom that had been gifted to him by God. 

And just why would Almighty God want to cause people to be breathless over a work of art, or a gourmet meal?  Johnson goes on to describe a scene of spiritual warfare as recorded in Zechariah 1:18-21.     
 Then I lifted up my eyes …and behold, there were four horns.  So I said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he answered me, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.”  Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.  I said, “What are these coming to do?” And he said, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah so that no man lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.”
In the quoted vision, God’s people, the Jews were being strong-armed by four horns, four “abusive authorities and powers” (Johnson, p. 42).  God’s answer is somewhat incredible.  He raises up four craftsmen, four artistic, creative persons to terrify and throw down the abusers.  “Not since God first sent a choir into war (see 2 Chronicles 20:21) has there been such an outlandish strategy for battle,” Johnson quips. (Johnson, p. 43).  Johnson explains that when God’s people allow his works to flow through the gifts God has given them, the enemies of God become breathless, much like the queen of Sheba.  God’s people walk in their true identity and authority, and God’s identity, authority and superiority are revealed.

God has gifted his church with an amazing number of artists, musicians, writers, and craftsmen.   Think on this concept with me.  How does God want to establish my identity, and his authority through his wisdom expressed in my gifting? The things we build with the creative wisdom given to us by God, those works may well be part of the warfare of God designed to release his authority on the earth.  Think of it, God’s dominion released through our art, like Ria Mignano’s paintings, Jim Spaloss’ blown glass glory beads.  The nature of God somehow displayed through the foods we prepare, such as Brett Conover’s amazing pot roast, and Penny Kellow’s comforting lasagna.  God’s plans revealed through Barry Brindisi’s blog, or Jamie Moffet’s original music.  Even the clothing we wear, Amanda Wilkin’s stylish belts and scarves, Sharon Ryan’s flowing African tunics, designed to establish the superiority of our creative God.

Craftsmen of Shore Vineyard, how will you allow the Lord to triumph through your hands?

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www.billjohnsonministries.com
Bill Johnson Ministries
933 College View Drive
Redding, CA 96003
(530)246-6000”