Our GOD is a GOD of LOVE not torment!

[JekyllandHyde]

Then why is it I feel like I am Being tormented?
Some of ya’ll know me and my love for art…and how I would enjoy making more out of it…..i have enjoyed many blessings with my art….and I am thankful for them.
The time has come though where I am about ready to set everything on the shelf….
I am currently in a schooling to learn welding…and the boss there said they want to keep me….(how many times have I heard that one?)…anyway if it happens, then there will be no more time for my art, because the job just wears me out and it has long hours…but it pays well and the Family will be taken care of…..and that is my priority, that we can pay the bills and not have the Financial stress that we have had over the years.

Now the part I don’t understand…..Why would God give me a talent, just to let it get set up on a shelf….So many people say, “wow that’s good work, you should do something with it.”
Even at the school where I’m at “ it’s a shame for you to become a welder”. I try to forget the art and be normal again…but I cant and it just tears me up! It has become such a part of me over the years….it would almost be like cutting off an arm(not really that bad, but you know what I mean)….i still do a few things for the church, and it is a great honour to be able to do it for God’s work….(and here is where I will probably get some bad looks)..it just isn’t enough to do dibs and dabs here and there…

I realize that many times I have walked off of the path doing airbrush and cartoons, but I have always tried to keep it “CLEAN”….no devils and no porn….but have I dishonoured GOD in some way that he would take it from me….I think on the 3 servants that were given talents in the Bible, one was given 1 talent…one was given 5…one was given 10…the one that was given one talent buried his so it would not be lost…and it was taken from him and given to the other….have I buried my talent in doing worldly motives just so I could keep going with art(with that I mean I have done disco’s and grim reapers etc.)….has my opportunities been taken away and given to another?

I feel that I could do so much more with it, but the doors of opportunity just stay shut and barricaded….and that is the part that torments me! I know our GOD is a GOD of LOVE..and this is really just a trivial problem when I think about eternity….but I’m not in heaven yet, so yes it bugs me!

Thanks for listening, I really needed to get that out….

I wish you all a wonderful “New Year” and God’s blessings!

Todd

 

[Coconut]

"Why would God give me a talent, just to let it get set up on a shelf?"

Are you so sure it is God doing the letting?
Did God tell you to go to school to learn welding?
Did God tell you that making a good pay was to be your priority?

These are questions only you can answer, but if you are going to suggest it`s Gods fault you arn`t using your talent, should`nt your focus be on what He said?

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

[Chad]

Excellent reply Coconut. That is very true. Listen to what GOD has spoken and not what your heart is telling you what may be or may not be.

You did confess that you dishonoured GOD in some way. Also, what makes you think using your talent won't make you equal or more money in the long run? You obviously love your art. You don't enjoy your job but your there to pay the bills. Does this make sense to work at a place you don't enjoy and wears you out? No it does not. What makes you think GOD does not have bigger blessings with the talent HE gave you?

Do you forget those artists who make ridiculous money on their paintings for example? Not that becoming rich should be a priority but the point is they make more than enough money. Some make more money on a single painting than an average person will make in a year. Wild isn't it?

Listen to GOD and let the Holy Spirit guide you

 

[JekyllandHyde]

Coconut I understand what you are sayin but
i believe there is a misunderstanding....I'm not suggesting it's God's Fault that I am not using my Talent....exact the opposite, is what i mean, my fault causing him to take it away.
and my focus IS on what he says ..... many many things that he says in the Bible, not just Mat 6:33

now to the questions:
no he did not tell me to go to welding school....but being unemployed at the moment....i figured it was a good idea

and no good pay is not the priority...i guess i wrote it a bit confusing....let me try again...
1st priority is my relationship to God
2nd priority is my Family

so again i apologize for any misunderstandings....i hope i have cleared it up somewhat....


i guess Chad and I were posting at the same time....so i will just edit here instead of doing a quick reply...


I know Chad, I have heard that many times about following your God givin talents....I thought I was doing that but I guess i Went astray somewhere along the way...and this is why I was writing it in here to get my feelings out so maybe i can get some peace again about it....
I know God can do great things....it might just be a patience thing for me....I dont know...

thank you both for your quick replies....

again i just want to say....being rich is not my priority....my family is...

God Bless Ya'll
Todd

and yes...it is wild what some artists earn...LOL

 

[evergreen]

Todd in all things aknowledge him and he shall direct thy path.All things work together for good for them that love the Lord.Cast all your cares on him.The first thing you may want to do is find out if there is anything that is blocking the eyes of your heart making it hard to see what it is that God wants you to do.Is it you that provides for your family?Do you draw pictures of God for men to admire?When was the last time you drew a picture just for God?Take a day for prayer and fasting and ask God to remove anything that comes between you.God loves you and wants the best for you but if you want to try and do it by yourself he will let you.As a father yourself would you rather watch your child struggle with something or ask for your help? One more thing,I have seen alot of artistically sculptured metal workings.

Your friend in Christ
John

 

[JekyllandHyde]

When was the last time you drew a picture just for God?
Your friend in Christ
John

John...That hit home......it's been a long time i guess....used to do it all the time...i must say it was the most joyful time I had with my art....I lost focus...

I think i got busy chasing "Bills" instead of chasing his word.....It's time to refocus!....Thanks Brother!

Thank you all for the "Direct" replies...it got me to thinkin...

God Bless Ya'll
Todd

 

[HistoryMaker]

Todd-
What came to me when I read your post is Ecclesiates 3:1-11(NKJV)
" To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end."
Maybe this is your season to work- I don't know. That's why God is God, and I'm not, and no one else is. He holds everything in His hands, in His view. He knows what tomorrow holds for us all. He knows what's best for us always. Don't give up your talent of painting though! I'll buy one when you're famous!!!

HM

 

[evergreen]

Todd bless you brother! The very fact that you are looking for a place to invest your talent shows you have done more than the one that buried his.

When my daughter was a babie she would get upset and pull her own hair and then get even more upset because it hurt.Thats how we are sometimes,we do it to ourselves and I am sure God just looks at us and shakes his head Like I did with her and wonder why He ever created such a thing.

 

[Coconut]

"When my daughter was a babie she would get upset and pull her own hair and then get even more upset because it hurt." LOL! Well said evergreen,
I am laughing because I relate a little too well to that!
God bless you as you seek Gods will Todd!

 

[Vicente]

If you know how to weld you could always getinto metel schulptures, you could draw a simple picture say pen or pencil, they build you art using it as a basic pattern and then airbrush it. You can sell stuff like for a decent amoutn of money and you could get a free web site as well it's not all that hard to do.

 

[JekyllandHyde]

I just wanted to update and pretty much close this thread up......
Let me first start by saying thanks to everyone for listening and letting me get this off of my chest and thanks for ya'lls replies!
well since this thread started, alot of things have changed in our lives....i decided to stay in Germany and see where God leads us ( I figured i would be better off, if i give him back the reigns )...Peeps is going to be opening up her own little store, we are both very excited about this....i was called to go paint, at the place where i was welding...painting is "Good"...we'll see what happens(it's no longer in my hands )...
I must say that i feel peace from within again....i was able to partake of the Lords Supper at easter....something i could not do for the last few years...it may sound funny, but it meant alot to me....
so again thanks everyone and God Bless ya'll
Todd

oh yeah...i forgot...I drew some pictures "Just for God" for our Easter art show......it was "WONDERFUL"....i havnt had that much enjoyment with art for a long time..."God is good"

 

[sunshine307]

I must say that i feel peace from within again....i was able to partake of the Lords Supper at easter....something i could not do for the last few years...it may sound funny, but it meant alot to me....
so again thanks everyone and God Bless ya'll
Todd
oh yeah...i forgot...I drew some pictures "Just for God" for our Easter art show......it was "WONDERFUL"....i havnt had that much enjoyment with art for a long time..."God is good"

I'm so glad Todd, welcome back to the place where you belong.
See how once you came back to God He gave you the chance to do some artwork. What an awesome God.

 

[Safari-Olli]

Hi, Todd,

nice to here! We gotta phone! Long time no see! GBU! He's doing! Nice to hear, you'll stay here!

Aloha,
Olli

PS: say hello to Peeps!

 

[Jonah2005bt]

Dear Jekyll&Hyde, I do believe that GOD has blessed you well with this welding job. Having a talent on the side is like icing on cake. It's something that you enjoy. It doesn't always mean that you should make a living on it. And it looks to me that you are already doing what GOD expect of you. You're providing for your family, making sure there's a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, and keeping them as healthy as you can. And hopefully excepting GOD & Christ Jesus as part of the family.
Maybe you're being tested on what is right & what is selfishness. This is something you, most definatly should take up with GOD! *genesis!