Do you think of yourself as an artist?  If you’re like me, and likely a huge percentage of the population, your answer will be a definite ‘no’.  The ordinary professional, mother, student, or anyone who doesn’t paint or sing or write for a living, most often does not list ‘makes art’ among their capabilities and accomplishments.  But Emily P. Freeman, author of the incredible little book entitled A Million Little Ways, challenges us to change our views…  To realize that we were born to make art, designed to live art, and in fact we ARE art!

I found this hard to believe at first.  The thought of myself as a work of art, let alone an artist, seemed confusing and went against my perceptions of what art meant.  After reading just the first few pages of A Million Little Ways, however, my thinking began to change.  I began to understand the truth about art, and the way God defines it.  Emily explains that God created us to be image bearers – image bearers of a CREATIVE God, a God who makes and lives and breathes art.  As image bearers, we have a job to do.  We are on this earth to reflect His image by living lives filled with art.  As Emily states, “Art is what happens when you dare to be who you really are.”

A recurring idea within this story begins in the chapter titled ‘Reflect’.  In one portion, Emily paints a portrait with words of something beautiful, because it is true.  In Ephesians 2:10, where it states we are God’s masterpiece, Emily shows us something found only by searching a little deeper.  Did you know that the word ‘masterpiece’, sometimes translated as ‘workmanship’, originated from the Greek word poiema?  Our English word for poem comes from the same root word.  Do you see what this means?  We are God’s poetry.  When God writes poetry, when He expresses Himself, we come into being.  Isn’t this a beautiful truth to hold in our hearts?

I cannot begin to touch on the many incredible aspects of living life as an artist depicted within the pages of A Million Little Ways.  I pray that you will be able to read it for yourself, and encounter truths meant just for you.  Emily Freeman is indeed living her life filled with art, if the power and truth of God within her words is any indication.  And I truly believe that it is.  Please let Emily’s words speak to your heart as you read A Million Little Ways.  Your view and purpose for life may never be the same.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.