Who is King? God or Creative Content?

CONFESSION #28: When it comes to the struggle of navigating creative content, I often need to be reminded that ultimately God is King.

Just like God is the King over our lives, He's also King over the art that we create and the art that we consume. 

Whether we create a film, a painting, or a story, we create a work in which God is fundamentally King, even if the artist doesn't intend it. And God uses our work and the work of others for his purposes. 

When it comes to this truth, I automatically think of horror films. If I'm honest, I hate horror films. I just don't find them enjoyable, and they freak me out. I know a lot of Christians who are against horror films due to their content (supernatural creatures, demons, ghosts, psycho-killers, you name it). However, I also know a few people that have become Christians after watching some disturbing horror films. God is King over content. 

I also think of the content of the Bible. The Bible is a pretty graphic and violent work. The English translation of the Bible is rather tame in comparison to the original Hebrew. There are portions of the Bible, like Ezekiel 17, that are rather explicitly graphic in the original Hebrew. Not to mention, The Bible contains stories that include brutal murders, incest, rape, adultery and a lot of other "iffy" content. 

My point in looking at this isn't to glorify explicit or controversial content but to create an open discussion. The Bible is not a rated G or even a PG book. It is honest and truthful in its depictions of life in a sinful and fallen world. Life is not a Disney movie. It is often dark, messy, controversial, and even explicit. 

As Christians, we are surrounded by a world that is far from being rated G for general audiences. I mean, our daily news is even graphic at times. 

We live in a fallen and broken world. The art that we consume and the art that we make will reflect that. However, it's how we go about showing a fallen and broken world that matters. There's a way to touch upon tough subjects while also avoiding creating stumbling blocks (2 Corinthians 6:3, Galatians 5:13).

I plan on talking more about this tomorrow: how to tackle tough subjects while honoring God, having a clear conscience, and trying to love others by not being a stumbling block. However, no matter the content, God is ultimately King, and He will use it for His own designs. 

The greatest way I've seen this in my own life was when I became a Christian watching Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader three years ago. God used a film to speak to my heart. He could have used anything, but He used a film. For me, it was the ultimate display of God using art for His purposes.

So the next time you create a work of art, specifically if it isn't overtly Christian, think about this idea: how might God use my art for His own glory? And think through how your creativity might show that God is King over your content.

This post is part of a 31 day series called Confessions of a Creative Christian.