“Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs as the top of your lungs!” Psalm 47.1
I wish everyone I know could have been at “Bible School” Saturday night. I wish every Christian in the tri-state area knew about “Bible School”. I know God was aware because I am sure he was there.
One does not usually find contemporary art, God, and witnessing in the same breath. Last night demonstrated why the three words fit together rather nicely. Thirteen pieces of art, solid expressions of an artist spiritual journey, witnessed to God’s awesome power and grace. Common themes and expressions emerged in conversations throughout the evening.
“I never knew John had a spiritual side.”
“The pictures seem so at peace.”
“What is the symbol about? Is it something to do with God? Will I find the answer in this Bible?”
“These are good!”
I wish people who go to church could observe the attitude and focus of each visitor. I experience a positive energy flowing between people. A quiet excitement appeared to grow with each person during his or her time reflecting on the art. People were respectful yet felt free to chat about life. Everyone seemed more complete and satisfied because of the experience.
What happened? What did we see? What did we experience?
God and human experience shared the same space.
We came and we saw one man’s story of his first few steps with God. We saw the story conveyed with integrity and openness. We saw God working in the streets of New York in ways that defied institutional boundaries. We saw someone sharing their spiritual experience without apologies and with power.
We came and went away changed. We sensed God’s presence. We felt his power and grace working through a series of lessons and testaments. I don’t think anyone knew when, why, or how the art captured his or her attention and emotions, but it did all the same.
God working in our lives through grace, love, and unconditional acceptance.
God said we should witness to everyone; last night one man did.
Bravo, bravissimo!
