Why plant flowers? You can’t eat them,” said my father-in-law after witnessing my spring ritual of filling pots with fragrant and colorful treasures from the garden store. Jay’s dad is an engineer—a practical sort of person. He can make anything work, but making it beautiful is not a priority. He values function over form, usefulness over aesthetics.

God created us with different gifts. Engineers who work for the glory of God design machines that make life easier. The Lord also created artists, who make life more pleasant by creating beautiful things for the glory of God and the enjoyment of others.

When we think of art in worship, we usually think of music. But other art forms have long had a role in glorifying God. The calling of Bezalel demonstrates God’s regard for fine art (Ex. 35:30-35). God commissioned him to beautify the first official place of worship: the tabernacle. God’s purpose for the arts, says Gene Edward Veith, is “to glorify God and to manifest beauty.”

When artistic talent is enlivened by the Spirit of God, it becomes an act of worship that then can become a witness to point people to Christ. God has greatly enriched our lives with beauty. And we in turn express our gratitude by displaying His glory in our art.  — Julie Ackerman Link