What’s it For?

At the suggestion of my sister, I recently made a collage. The theme was elephants, based on the calendar picture she gave me and my fascination with this animal. It was a good way, not only to express myself creatively, but also to resolve some things left over from a dark time in my life. 

As I show it to my family and tell people about it, some of them don’t question the purpose. Yet, the most common response I get is, “What’s it for?” I smile inside because a creative mind knows that art is just that — art for its own sake. For me, though, making it was also therapeutic. So I reply, the best way I know how, “It’s just a collage, a way of expressing yourself.” 

A lot of times, we have this attitude about a lot of things: it has to have a clear important purpose from the very beginning. But many things, including the most important writing, had what seemed to be mundane beginnings. Some of the writers who were inspired by God to write parts of the Bible were simply responding to outward pressures around them and coming to God for help. One of these writers was King David. Much of the Psalms are his reflections about God and his cries to God to save him from trouble. He probably had no idea at the time how God would use them.

As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 explains, all Scripture comes from God and exists for a purpose. I am sure though that the seasons of life from which these Scriptures came did not always seem to make sense to those who were living them out.

While I doubt that my collage will ever be as important as a psalm, what God taught me through the season leading up to making it is something I will never forget. The collage is a reminder that if elephants can dance (scientifically, they can), then surely other seemingly impossible things can happen as well, like God restoring my relationship with him after a very difficult season. When it comes right down to it, the worth of a season of life, like a work of art, comes from God. 

Dear Father, like a collage, life doesn’t always make sense. But I know that you are so much wiser than I am and I can trust you. Help me hold on to your hand and see through your eyes when all the pieces are put together. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Throughout this day: Do you have a hobby that can help you see the Bible and your life in a different way? Why not spend time on that hobby today if you can?