Godly Character: A Painting Worth Displaying

Every man and woman is in the lifelong process of creating a piece of artwork—his or her character. Are we looking to the ultimate Artist for instruction so our character will shine as an example worth displaying in a gallery?

For those of you who know me, it isn’t a surprise that I find biblical analogies relating to art. As an art student, I often find analogies in the art process or in the meaning behind my own work.

One of the important things I’ve learned is that the end product is not its final result.

While a painting may be finished—with the last paint applied to a still life, showcasing the artist’s ability to capture the highlights—the artwork itself is not the final result.

Worth displaying

What does that mean? Similar to a light not being made to be put under a bed, I am gradually learning as I create more artwork that, with all the time I invest working on most pieces, I have failed to give the majority of them purpose.

I currently have a rather large collection of artwork that is being displayed in the “Under Rosalynn’s Bed Museum.” While some of it may not seem worth displaying, each painting that I invested hours in loses its purpose if it sits where others can’t see it.

Likewise, God wants us to showcase examples of His character in our lives. Our lives cannot be seen only from the perspective of how we view ourselves, but we must consider how God and others view us. We are to be a shining example! We are to be artwork worth displaying!

Let it shine

“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed,” Christ said. Instead, he “sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light” (Luke 8:16).

In a society where a lack of morals is tolerated, if not encouraged, building good character can be challenging. It can be hard to stand up for keeping God’s laws and commandments. But Jesus went on to say, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” (verse 17).

The artwork of everyone’s life will eventually be displayed!

Most people will have to wait to know their true purpose, but those who have been called by God understand that we have a purpose now!

We are to be examples—a personal portrait of what is to come for all of mankind.

Using more oil

With oil painting, one must use particular care to employ the principle of “fat over lean.” This means that, as the artist applies more and more layers to the painting, more oil must be added to the paint so the layers underneath will dry first. If this technique is not used, the painting might at first appear beautiful, but in time it will crack from the tension of the top layer drying. This would destroy the image that the artist worked so long to create!

It is similar with our character. We must strive to add more and more of God’s Spirit (symbolized by oil in the Bible) to every layer of our lives. This is not to put on a show to others (Matthew 6:1), but as a lasting commitment to God so that He can help us to grow. He can help us become more refined and look more like our elder Brother, Jesus Christ.

Ready for review

With God’s help, we can be made into the beautiful portrait of what His sons and daughters are to look like (2 Corinthians 3:18). And one day when we have the final critique of our character, as we stand face-to-face with our Creator, we will hear the best review possible, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

God’s children will be shining examples of living God’s law and daily worshipping our Creator. With His help, we can develop godly character that looks like artwork worth framing.

Rosalynn Villaescusa is currently a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She loves to explore God’s Word through painting and printmaking and hopes to eventually pursue her master’s degree in medical illustration. Rosalynn is looking forward to the spring holy days and participating in her first Passover service.

For more about developing godly character, see:

• Becoming Gold: Refining Our Spiritual Character
• Spiritual Report Card
• How Does Jesus Christ Live in Us?