Arts are important to our Heavenly Father. For Him, beauty is the norm.
Through art we can help others get to know Him. When we are moved
deeply, it's the Holy Spirit working in our hearts.
I can vouch
of this. When I was visiting Ghent a few years ago, I went into a
cathedral to see a painting done by Van Eyk called "The Ghent
Altarpiece". I had to pay a fee, and then I was brought into the room
with several others. The door was closed, and I was told I could not
take pictures. As the guide began explaining everything that was in that
painting, I could feel my heart beating rapidly, and I knew the Holy
Spirit was in our midst, for I felt His presence. I received His message
of love, and I began to get a taste for what I will experience in
Heaven. That's how deeply I was moved by the symbolism in that
painting. Wow! But then, our Heavenly Father can teach people through
the arts. He had many means.
When I left the room that contained
the Van Eyk painting that day, I was super excited. There was a replica
of that painting inside the church, and I took a picture of it.
Unfortunately, I was at an angle, and the details of the picture were
unclear...But no matter. I had seen the original, and that's all that
counted. Enjoy the arts. Our Father loves beauty. Listen to Him when you
are deeply touched by a painting. Listen to his voice. You will be
amazed. May we share our Heavenly Father with everyone, no matter what
the means, just as Jesus shared His love with you.
Rob Chaffart