It may surprise you to learn that Winston Churchill had a keen interest in painting as a pastime. How he first took to painting, and the sheer delight to be derived from it, is told in his little book entitled Painting as a pastime.
He begins with reflections on work and leisure. Referring to other pastimes, he remarks that they pale before the great adventure of painting, and writes: "I know of nothing which more entirely absorbs the mind." The zest and inspiration which were typical of him are found in every line. The book has the effect of making readers want to take up painting and become creative themselves.
The prophet Jeremiah tells of a similar experience of interest being stirred when he paid a visit to a pottery. As he watched the potter skilfully and gently moulding the clay into objects of beauty he was fascinated.
God reveals the way in which He is able to mould those willing to be shaped by His love. Those influenced by Churchill's book are impressed by the wonder of craftsmanship, and are eager to join the Creator in His creation of beauty. God gave a striking demonstration of His ability to create at Pentecost. On Trinity Sunday we acknowledge the influence of God in every moment of the space and time in which we live:
"We believe in God the Father who creates."
We believe in God the Son who redeems.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies
Like Churchill, the potter, or anyone dedicated to the Creator and creating beauty with Him knows of nothing that absorbs the mind more ... a wonderful source of peace.
Pilgrims of the faith, making progress in the art of prayer, pay tribute to the Creator Spirit's influence. He absorbs them. They delight in the "worthwhileness" of losing themselves in worship, love and awe. Painters, potters, and pilgrims in prayer involved in serving the beauty of holiness enjoy the sense of fulfilment. It is a feeling abundantly evident in the excitement on the Day of Pentecost. More and more were they absorbed in and concentrating on the lifeline and loveline of believers . . . prayer.
It is a privilege to watch an artist "building" a picture on a canvas, or potters shaping their ware. The drama unfolding before our eyes holds our attention. That is evidently what happened to the disciples (learners) in Christ's school of prayer. As they got to know Jesus they were more and more impressed with the central place it had in His life. Like most, if not all, who become involved in creative endeavours . . . attracted to it by seeing others doing it. I just love the disciples' courtesy. They waited until Jesus had finished praying. "As He was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray":
O thou by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, the Way, The path of prayer thyself has trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.