The Purpose
of drawing
By Jeramiah Townsend
Back to Articles &
Tutorials
If you've read my bio you
know I've been drawing my entire life. During that time I've had my ups and downs. I've had times where I
learned a lot, and times where it just seemed like I wasn't learning much when it came to art and drawing. And
then there was one time when I became REALLY depressed. Sure I had some talent - but what good was it for?
I asked a lot of people "Why can I draw?" and "What good was this talent?" and
even "Does God care about drawing?". I became very depressed searching for an answer - because it
didn't seem to me that anyone had a good answer. I even though about giving up drawing altogether.
Many people gave me the standard answers like "God wouldn't have given you that ability if He
didn't intend for you to use it." That answer didn't satisfy me. I figured there were a lot of people
talented at bad things. Did that mena God wants them to do those bad things? The logic in their answer just
didn't hold up.
Then I came across Exodus 31. It starts off:
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur,
of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in
all kinds of crafts- 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set
stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab
son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make
everything I have commanded you:
This was it! THIS is what I was looking for. Now I KNEW that God is the one who gives us artistic
ability. This wasn't some general verse about how I should use my talents for God, but this was a rock solid,
direct, and specific statement that God gives artistic talent to us for His glory.
I was depressed because I didn't know if my artistic talent had any purpose. Sure it was a nice
hobby, but did God really care? Now I no longer get depressed when I think about drawing or my art talents. I
understand that God is the one who gives us artistic talent. God does care about art.
Back to top of article
| 
