The artistry of God The Rev Ruth Kennedy

The Rev Ruth Kennedy explains why digital ministry is artistic.

THERE are some passages in the Bible that are just best described as beautiful, where the words paint a picture of a sensational tapestry that comes to life in our imaginations.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ‘God has made everything beautiful in its time’ depicts a painting that is continually and steadily opening up like a flower to reveal the deep beauty held gently and firmly in the petals – a series of brush strokes by God.

And 1 Kings 19:11-13: ‘Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by.” A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there.’ This passage draws the eyes away from the destructive, loud broad-strokes into the smaller detail of a pictorial encounter where it takes time to stand and consider the canvas looking at the intricacies and discovering more of God.

Again we find the creativity, the artistry of God in Exodus 31, in fact, all through the Bible, all through life! Creator God who painted the stars in the sky and fills individuals with the ‘Spirit of God giving wisdom, understanding, knowledge and in all kinds of skills to design artistic works’. What an expression we find in Exodus 31! ‘Gifted by God to design artistic works.’ We might not think this is part of digital ministry but, at its heart, digital ministry is artistic – where the canvas is the internet. Words, images and videos brought to form paintings that reveal the heart of God for this broken world, more accessible than any painting on a wall could ever be. Engaging with digital ministry enables us to have the largest, most open gallery there has ever been.

Reaching out to the world is foundational to what we as the Church are sent to do and we can trust that, just as God sent skilled artists to Moses in Exodus 31, so God does likewise to the Church. Let us further grow God’s Kingdom culture in our Church to attentively listen for that gentle whisper stirring up artistic inspiration and respond, either creating with our own artistry or opening opportunities for others to give theirs.

Sanctuary First has a weekly online Art Connect group, where members paint or draw the same image together, in friendship and an atmosphere of faith.

It connects people who share God-given gifts and passions but who ordinarily might not be able to gather. I wonder how many of us are gifted with artistic design, reflecting this beautiful aspect of God, and who would love Church to give them the opportunity to manifest this gift with others.

Us, the people of God, expressing the artistry of God, enriching the world. Beautiful.

The Rev Ruth Kennedy is Digital Ministries Advisor for the Church of Scotland and minister with Sanctuary First.