I am a professional artist, and have been for most of my life. It is not the easiest way to make a living by any means, but it is extremely rewarding! I get a special feeling of satisfaction and amazement every time I finish a piece. Often, I like to take a few minutes to simply appreciate it, in private. (All the time thinking: "Gee, did I do that?") Nothing can compare to the feeling I get when I see eyes light up and the look of delight on the face of a customer when they receive a custom order from me. Or when I hear kind words of appreciation from people who see and also appreciate my work. For years I have struggled with what to say when people lavish so much praise in my direction. It has always made me very uncomfortable! I mean, how does one accept praise like that graciously? Especially when one is fully aware that it isn't their own work???
Wait a minute - did I say "not their own work"? Yes, that is exactly what I said and I'll tell you why.
It is my firm belief, based on my lifetime thus far, that each and every one of us are given special gifts of talent from God. There are references in the Bible that confirm my feelings: 1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV Study Bible) "I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that." Further, I believe it is our mission in life to try and find these gifts. Richard Garren says: "God gives us all talents. But he doesn't force us to use them. And if we do, God doesn't force us to use them for His glory or for our good. God gives the talent; but if and how we use it is up to us."
This is also beautifully phrased in the following lines from 1 Corinthians, Ch, 12 (The Message) ... "God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit." ... "Each person is given something to do which shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits." I believe that God gave me the talent to create beautiful horses so that those who see and appreciate them will see "who God is" as I do.
I feel so incredibly blessed because GOD chose to give me the talent that I have! Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by this blessing that I am moved to tears. I am so undeserving of such an incredible gift! I'm only an average person! But God chose me - ME to create beautiful reflections of horses - His creations. What an honor! I have done nothing to "earn" this extraordinary gift. So when I said earlier that the art work I create is "not my own work", what I mean is that it isn't "me" - rather, it's GOD working through me! Eph 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." I am truly humbled by this gift! 1 Peter 4: 10 says: "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." And if each one of us has a ministry for God on this Earth, then I feel that my "ministry" is to help people come to know the greatness and the glory of God through the beauty of the horse. A "Model Horse Ministry" - what a concept!
THANK YOU GOD for all of your bountiful blessings in my life, and in the lives of all people. THANK YOU for choosing me for the gift of creating replicas of the awesomely beautiful creature that you made, which brings joy to so many of us; the horse! And may all who look upon the work you create through me, or upon the living creature it represents, see you and know that you are the Lord God Almighty.
In closing, I would like to quote the following lines from Phillippians Ch. 4, verses 8 - 11: (NIV Study Bible) " "... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of Peace will be with you.""
With all of my heart and in Jesus precious name, Amen.
Thank you for reading this. I hope that it helps you to understand the foundation of my work. I hope that you will be inspired from reading about how God works in my life, to look for Him working in yours. I pray that all of you will find your gifts, and will use them for the good of others. Remember, no matter what your gift is, there is a way to use that gift for the good of others! May God Bless all of you and grant you peace.