The Heart of the Artist

I have been reading a book by Rory Noland called "the Heart of the Artist" and in this book he quoted Ken Gire from his book "Windows of the Soul".  I had to share this quote with you...all of you artistic types that see the world just a little differently than most.  Before Noland shared Gires' quote he says:

"Artists respond differently to things than nonartists do.  For one thing, we tend to be more sensitive.  And that's okay.  That's how God made us.  In Ephesians Paul talks about us having the eyes of our hearts enlightened (1:18).  Sensitive people have a lot of heart.  We might see things differently because we feel deeply."

Then he quotes Gire...

"We learn from the artists, from those who work in paint or words, or musical notes, from those who have eyes to see and ears that hear and hearts that feel deeply and passionately about all that is sacred and dear to God."

Then Noland goes on to say...

"For this reason artists very often speak out against injustice, inequality, and hypocrisy.  They take up the cause of those who are suffering.  They make us more sensitive to the lost and lonely and to the plight of the downtrodden.  Everyone with an artistic temperament has been told at some point in his or her life to develop a thicker skin.  That's nonsense!  The world doesn't need more thick-skinned people.  It needs more people who are sensitive and tender.  Have you ever been moved to tears by a powerful piece of music or held spellbound by a beautiful work  of art?  Have you ever been moved by a scene from a film?  It's because an artist felt deeply about something and communicated in such a powerful way that your heart and soul were touched."

I loved this...I struggle with being thick skinned.  I know we have to put on the thick skin at times but these words spoke to my heart and I wanted to share.

Blessings,

Meagan