The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Art (01/18/07)
As my friend and I packed the kids into the van for a field trip, invigoration and anticipation flowed through my body. One part was being set free from our usual schedule to embark on an adventure. The other part was art. Yes, the word art thrills my senses and incites my emotions. After all, isn’t that its purpose? Knowing nothing about this artist, Keith Haring, didn’t seem to bother me. His world renowned exhibit was called Journey of the Radiant Baby, and I thought, “How wonderful! I’m always up for radiance and new art.” So, off we went.

After arriving, we paid quite a sum of money, but who can put a price tag on art, right? While the kids tinkered in the museum’s Robotic Exhibit, I got a smattering of Keith’s work. Each piece had a stick-like figure planted in various colorful scenes. Bewildered, I glanced around at the people crowding into the museum. I felt like I had just jumped into the fairy tale The Emperor’s New Clothes. As others expressed their appreciation, I kept viewing the paintings from several angles. Maybe I had missed something?

Now, hoping for my money’s worth, I climbed up the staircase to the main exhibit. There, displayed at the top of the stairs, was a painting of another stick-like figure. However, this one was hanging upside down on a cross. Bewilderment turned to nausea; I gasped and turned towards my friend saying, “Do you see that? Does it mean what I think it means?” Her eyes were just as wide as mine were, and she nodded. Both of us desiring to escape such an appalling disregard for our Savior, we quickly ran down the corridor only for our eyes to be assaulted by stick-like figures in provocative positions and demon possessed stick-like figures with the number 666 scribbled in the corner. In the end, repulsion and anger were the only emotions incited during that field trip.

So, with that lead in, I ask you, “What is art?” There is the eternal question as to why God made man and the earth. If he knew before hand the treason of Adam, why? Perhaps, it is because He is a Creator, and therefore, He must create. He is the God that calls things that be not as if they are. It’s impossible for Him not to create. Look around, no one can duplicate the incredible awe and beauty of the earth and universe. Besides, God knows the end product. Could it be that His artwork is in progress and isn’t quite complete?

We, the children of God, are the mirror image of our Father. Man has an innate ability and ache for creativity. From painting on an easel to cooking a culinary delight, it’s all artwork. Like our Father, we can’t help ourselves but create. Something Kenneth Copeland once said rings true. He said, “The Trinity and man are the only beings that can create. Satan has no power to create anew. His power is only in corrupting and twisting what’s already been created. We give him that authority.” If so, isn’t it our responsibility to maintain the purity of art?

Although my gift and passion is writing and yours might be inventing, singing, or building, there is one art project we all can get behind; it’s the sculpting and molding of our children…all our children. What will our next generation be? You decide.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1073 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Janice Fitzpatrick
01/25/07
Agree, agree, agree. Wow! I love this piece. The story telling of your experience , first being excited to get away as us mom's like to sometimes and then to view something of beauty from someone who is suupively a great artist, to only have a blasphemy of our lord and Savior thrown in our faces. WOW again!:0) I like how you wove your beginning to your piece on what is art. I really was moved, not just in a pleasant eupohric sense but compelled shall I say to keep on demonstrating and molding our children in the way that God wants them to be. Great job! God bless your writing! Keep up the good work!
Shirley Hegwood
01/26/07
I can certainly relate to this story by a very similar incident. This describes wonderfully the height of your exhilaration of anticipatiom, only to be taken to the depths of disgust. Good writing and depiction of your experience!
Paul Servini
01/27/07
The way you describe your experience really enabled us to step into your shoes. First, the disappointment at the art, and then the shock at the blasphemous use of the cross. Very well paced.
Donna Powers
01/28/07
I agree with the previous review. I like how you told of your experience and used it as a springboard for your point of view. The storytelling section was very strong; I look forward to more writing from you like this.
Julie Arduini
01/28/07
I agree, what a fluid piece, and a wonderful story. You set it up perfectly.
Sheila Dougal
01/30/07
Very well done. I read this with ease, was with you in shock at the images you saw and in agreement with your true message; we do have great power, either to create like our Father or pervert creation like Satan. Thank you!