The Bible says that every perfect gift comes from God and there is no doubt that He has blessed mankind with some pretty amazing gifts. Painting, for example, is one of the most awe-inspiring God-given talents, especially Realism Art. The world has truly enjoyed the contribution of quite a number of exceptional painters and, in my opinion, the work of renown inspirational artist Thomas Kinkade, aka “The Painter of Light”, is definitely one of them. Pictured above is one of the 19 paintings in his Lighthouse Collection. It is titled, “The Light of Peace.” Although I would love to own a copy of this print (perhaps someday), I’ll settle to have it as a desktop wallpaper for now.

Kinkade attributed his inspiration to God and if you ever come across his paintings you would immediately see why. His artistic style, though regarded by some of his colleagues as being overly sentimental, allowed him to imbue an almost heaven-like peace in all of his works. Whether he painted an imaginary or existing scenery he was able to transform it into a place that most of us only dream of—a world of living color and soothing tranquility. It is said that the magic behind his paintings was his incredible ability to perfectly incorporate the element of light (referred to by some as “The Kinkade glow”) in every brush stroke.

“In the often hurried and complex world we live in, the images that Thomas Kinkade painted offer a place of refuge – a place where the transient things of life give way to the things that matter most.” -Thomaskinkade.com

Although there are actual places on earth where time seems to stand still and where the beauty of creation makes it feel almost like paradise, the truth is that we live in a fallen world that has been tarnished and darkened by the power of sin and death -a darkness that enslaves all those who live apart from God and causes the earth to yearn for its redemption. The Bible makes it clear that those who are without Christ are dead in their sin and transgressions. That is why when a sinner comes into a right relationship with God, through faith in Jesus, it is said that he passes from death to life and from darkness to light.

Unlike the “Kinkade glow,” the light of God is real. It is the only thing that can pierce through the darkness of sin and defeat eternal death. It is the life-saving and life-giving light that can transform any depraved and mundane life into a radiant testimony of God’s redeeming grace. Jesus (God incarnate) is the light of the world and all those who follow Him have come out of darkness and now possess His glorious light. Unfortunately, there are still many who are trapped in this world’s illusion of love, peace, and joy unaware of the darkness that engulfs them. Some have been able to see the light of God from a distance but find it very difficult to reach because there is no one to nonjudgmentally guide them towards it. Still, there are others who have received God’s light but are currently in the dark due to an unconfessed sin or a challenging situation in their lives. That is why we cannot afford to keep the light of Christ to ourselves. We must step out of our comfort zones (churches, homes, spiritual circles) and into the canvas of this dark world so we can be the light God called us to be.

Thomas Kinkade may have characterized himself as “The Painter of Light,” but when we consider that his inspiration was the God of all creation and the One who spoke light into existence we realize that there is only one true Master artist, his name is Jesus. And since He is the true Painter of Light, that makes us “God’s glow.” So, let us bring His light wherever we go!

Prayer: Dear Father of light. Your glory and your creative power are declared throughout all of creation. Yet I am your greatest masterpiece. Not only because you fearfully and wonderfully created me, but because you have deposited your light within me. Lead me wherever darkness abounds so that this light may bring salvation to lost and brighten the day of the broken-hearted. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen. 

SCRIPTURES
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” –James 1:17

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” -Ephesians 2:1

“Arise, shine, for your light, has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”  -Isaiah 60:1

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” –John 5:24 (NLT)

“For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” – Ephesians 5:8 (NASB)

“The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine.” -Proverbs 4:18 (MSG)

-All Scripture is quoted from the NIV except where specified.