His Strokes
We have lived in this house for fifteen years and most every year we have painted the front and back porch. Each year that passes this chore gets harder on these old bones of mine. As I sit to do the railings, my legs go to sleep, the strain that it puts on my back causes pain and my hand aches from hours of holding the brush. At times as I paint the railings it seems I will never be done with them and in my mine I have a hard time imagining the whole thing being done. To say this is not my favorite job is an understatement, but when it is finished, it is worth it! Sorta!
I thought of my painting experience when I read about Michelangelo today. Some say he laid on his back on scaffolding as he painted the Sistine Chapel, while others say he stood on scaffolding with his neck crooked for four years. Either way sounds painful to me. Much of the time he worked with no one around him to help pass the time. How many days did his paint brush concentrate on one tiny portion of the painting, or one color? Did he have trouble, at times, seeing the whole picture?
Many times, as we live our lives with our paint brush dipped in the worries of our day, we cannot see the whole picture. The world seems to be painted with the dark colors of sin and chaos. Dear God, help me to see with your eyes the world with your beautiful strokes of unfailing love. May I trust you as you in your infinite wisdom paint this world as you look at the whole picture and not just one part. As a song writer once wrote, "When you don't understand. When you don't see his plan. When you can't trace his hand. Trust his heart." He sees the master plan!
Praise your Holy Name!
“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT
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