Joan of Art

Each one of our lives is a dance, a poem, a song. Made in the image of the Creator, whether we think of ourselves as creative or not, we are. We’re called to be storytellers for the Kingdom, actors demonstrating the beauty of who God is, and raising a child is molding a work of art. Our expressions of Christ to a watching world whether verbal or silent are paintings of Love from the heart of God. So I invite each one of you to take in and own the following poem for yourself. 

~

My creatives are commissioned

with anointing in their pens

their paintbrushes and dancing shoes

the music that’s in them.

Storytellers, actors,

singers, songwriters I’ll send

“Oholiabs” and “Bezalels”

gifted poets of the soul

to craft beauty for the “temple”

I’ve housed within all women

all children, and all men.

~

I’m sending you as medics

to bruised and battered hearts

hungry for . . . they know not what

apply My speech distilled as dew

like soothing salve to open wounds.

It’s My leading you must trust.

~

Subtlety and nuance, silent stirrings

you must heed.

My Spirit moves in mystery

let him who has an ear

linger long within a sacred space

your innermost . . . intimate . . . secret place

so Softly Spoken Secrets

and Holy Hushes you will hear.

~

’Twas the way My mystic vessel

a teenage Joan of Arc

learned to hear My still small Voice

and did not fear to do her part.

She donned herself in armor

flew her banner in the wind

but the weapons of her warfare

were mostly drawn from the  unseen.

She modeled for the Bride of Christ

the price to be a sacrifice

and how to wage a war.

~

So we gird ourselves with armor

fly our banner in the Wind

know the One we represent

to show the world as evidence

whose Presence we’ve been in.

~

Bride of Mine, shield-maidens

fighters for the Light

I’ve trained your hands

prepared your arms

to bend a bow of bronze.
~

So let your poems and your paintings

all things created by your hands

be released as arrows

to hit their destined mark

wielding swords of Truth

with strength and durability

which fashions and then guards

the inner decorated beauty

of a priceless tender heart.
~

Special ops assigned for battle

to renovate the soul

My company of warriors

each one a Joan of Art.

~

In Exodus, Moses was instructed by God that Bezalel and Oholiab were chosen and filled with divine spirit, wisdom, ability, and knowledge to be skilled in every kind of craft to make all that God had commanded Moses related to the tent of meeting. Everything was to be executed in beauty and symbolism from the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat to all the furnishings of the interior of the tabernacle. Artistic designs were to be incorporated into items made of gold, silver, bronze, wood carvings, and the cutting and setting of precious stones. Priestly garments were to be woven and fashioned in detailed symbolism. The anointing oil and fragrant incense were given detailed specificity for ingredients and proportions.

Where is the “tent of meeting” today? It’s within those who house the Presence of God within their hearts. How are we to share this treasure we have in earthen vessels? In the Beauty worthy of the Name.