A recent adventure I was on included a couple artistic events, which are always a challenge for me. I admit I am not much of an artist or musician on this side of heaven.
Before the painting class began, I noticed one instructor tracing a sloth on canvases for a future class. I went over and jokingly said, “I think you should trace all the canvases” as I explained my apprehension with painting well.
I felt hopeful that I could be more successful because when the instructor began, he said to relax, he would walk us through everything, and he would come around if we needed help. I will be honest and share that I did end up struggling about a third of the way through. Another instructor came over and helped me get back on track. He also encouraged us by saying three statements that resonated with me and are applicable to our ordinary lives.
Everyone’s painting would be a little different, and that is okay.
And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. –Isaiah 64:8 (NLT)
Our awesome God created each person in this whole world to be unique and special, formed in His image—a masterpiece! We are like clay in the hands of the potter, creating a unique, beautiful, and different piece of pottery each time. Our task is to embrace our own uniqueness and beauty just as we marvel at the paintings that we create.
*When you look at the painting on the wall, you will not notice all the imperfections that you might see up close.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. –Romans 3:22-24 (NLT)
God designed us to be perfectly imperfect, and there is beauty in that. When Christ Jesus died on the cross, His blood washed away the sin that is part of our humanity. Through God’s grace in the plan of redemption, God sees us as spotless, like perfection, just like our view of the painting on the wall!
*This painting experience was more about enjoying the journey than focusing on the destination. (For me, the destination was the possibility of an unperfected piece of art!)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. –Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
We have assurance that God is leading each of our individual journeys in this life. It is important to value each day’s journey and every opportunity that comes to us, to live in the moment, and not wish our lives away. We get to experience the joy of the Lord as He leads us in our individual paths while enjoying the pleasures of His presence and others that we meet. With this painting, we were to take time and enjoy the experience—the journey of creating our masterpiece.
A beautiful masterpiece I did NOT create but sure loved!
The other artistic project on my adventure was to frost and decorate a little cake. I tried to apply the same points from the painting class. I was pleasantly surprised being proud of my free hand and own design for my cake. No, it wasn’t perfect because by the time I was finishing, the frosting was too warm, and so it was a little too runny compared to the original consistency. But I did it knowing the journey was more important as I continued my baby steps of growth.
Be encouraged this week to…
…accept how God made you—beautiful and unique—different from anyone else.
…know we are all perfectly imperfect.
…enjoy the journey of life each day while heading for the final destination of eternal life.
REFLECTION:
Which one of the three statements do you need to improve upon the most?
What perfectly imperfect trait of yours can you surrender to God?
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. –Philippians 3:12 (ESV)
