The Artist and the Goliath of Sex Trafficking | Anthony Polenski

Engage Art | Faith, In the Know, Reflection & Growth | December 1, 2019

Friends, we are at war.

This war is, first and foremost, a battle taking place in the unseen realms. We know the Scriptures say in Ephesians 6:10, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” There is no more significant evidence of this unseen darkness than the battle against the criminal enterprise of child sex trafficking. Human Trafficking is the Goliath of our Generation.

“As artist, we can take part in winning this battle."

Every year millions of women and children are enslaved by bloodthirsty men and women, using their positions of power and influence to exploit the weak and the needy. Human Trafficking is estimated to generate $150B in revenue globally. It is not only an international problem in places like Cambodia and Thailand but a domestic one as well. In the US, human trafficking is estimated to be a $10B business. As I began to pray about how to engage this Goliath, I thought:

"If there exists a highly collaborative, highly connected criminal network designed to enslave and exploit women and children, shouldn’t there be an even greater one to free them?"

This is our mission at 611 Artist Collection. We believe the solution starts with artists.

God Calls on Artists to Lead

In biblical times, when God led His people into battle, he chose the most unsuspected person to lead His army. In the story of King Jehoshaphat, God reveals a powerful truth meant to help us as we engage the Goliath of Human Trafficking.

Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to Yahweh and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to Yahweh, for His loving devotion endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:21)

Did you catch that? God chose musicians to lead His people into battle! He wanted the artist to face down Israel’s enemies! 

Uniquely Called For A Purpose

What about the artist that makes him or her the vehicle to achieve such a great purpose?

I believe the answer is this: Artists inspire people in unique ways, and can thereby bring about an encounter with the Father. A genuine encounter with the Father will always lead to worship. And worship is the way we defeat any giant.

Artists, you have been called by God to create for the cause of freedom. To know the Great Artist is to know your purpose as a kingdom builder. Your objective in this cause is twofold. First, use your gifts and skills to create works of art that educate people about the problem of human trafficking and inspire them to get involved in the fight. Second, use your creativity to direct people to Jesus who can heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free. The arts can minister to survivors, reconnecting them to their Father and their identity and their purpose as creators.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Romans 10:14-15 ESV

Artists, your passion and fire for your craft can set other people ablaze, awakening many of us to our higher aspirations, so we, too, might burn for the glory of God!

Human Trafficking is a Spiritual Problem

The problem of human trafficking is a spiritual one, so we know the answer must be spiritual, too. If we are to slay the Goliath of human trafficking, we must first kill the giants in our own hearts. You may not realize it, but you have a part in slaying this Goliath. The paintbrush you hold pours out colors and rich meaning, your guitar touches our heartstrings with a melody, the poet's pencil records psalms and hymns capturing the beauty of what it means to be human, and the voice of the singer cries out, piercing the veil of time and space to lead us into a face-to-face encounter with the Living God.

Artists, will you use your creativity to slay Goliath?

For more information on how to get involved, please visit the 611 Artist Collective page at www.611network.org.

Human trafficking is one dramatic way the Spiritual Battle plays out in our world. Will your entry in the Engage Art Contest include this difficult subject? Or do you have another concept? We're eager to see your work! www.EngageArt.org

Author: Anthony (Founder & CEO 611 Network)

 

Submit Your Artwork Today!

Curious? Interested in submitting artwork to our contest? Know someone who might be? Through April 14th, 2022, the Engage Art Contest is open to the whole world! Get your foot in the door by claiming your Artist Page now!