Preparing A Place

Bamboo forest in Huang Shan mountains 'feels like a sanctuary'

A group of Art and Design students from Beijing who heard my teaching on Infinite Creativity contacted me. They asked for some guidance as to how to combine their faith with their art. Currently there seems to be no precedent or teaching on that subject in China. The following is my first of five emails back to them.

The most important thing to me as an artist is to arrange my priorities and dedicate my work to God daily. Whatever I do, I do it unto God (1 Cor 10:31, Col. 3:17) That way, by the time I get to work on my current art project, I have already practiced communication with God. That communication does not always have to be verbal - it often is like a mental and emotional alignment with God's will - a preparation of a place in my heart for God to lead me through the project.

Then there is the physical place that needs preparation. No matter how big or how small the space is for me to do artwork, it has to be clear of clutter, preferably dedicated to doing creative work. I like my space to be quiet, others like to play music or thrive on the bustling street noise of a city. I like to work in the daylight hours, for others the shine of the computer screen is enough. Whatever your preference, prepare a place in your heart for God, and a place in your room for your work. It should be like a sanctuary where everything is dedicated to God.