Day 133 "The Master Painter of Life"

Some people have the gift of drawing and painting, Such a gift was not bestowed in my direction, however. But I do like to watch others with such talent make the blank canvas come alive. I think, particularly, the caricature artist and those who do landscapes I like best. It amazes me to watch how the lines and curves become someone's face and when completed, somehow the artist had captured the character of the person for all to see. And when it comes to painting landscapes, I once watched an artist begin with some zigs and zags, adding a few series of what looked like staircases going up and down, and voila, a beautiful mountain scenery with woods and a running river making its way through large boulders took shape right before my eyes. So simple in strokes, but masterful in its completion.

Have you ever thought about your life being like a blank canvas awaiting for the rest of your life's story to be painted upon it? For some of us, unskilled in painting, we try in various ways to still make a picture materialize upon the canvas. Sometimes we wing it, try to do what seems best. Unfortunately, sometimes we make matters even worse and have to undo or repair things we have done in our lives before we can move onward. Sometimes, we can make a real mess of it so that no one looking at the canvas of our life can tell what is there. Wouldn't it be great if we could each hire a master painter to help and guide us in the painting of our own life's canvas?

That is what being a Christian is like. It is inviting Jesus Christ to be the master painter of our lives and relinquishing our brushes, paint, and canvas for him to render a masterpiece that only he can do with our lives.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and

you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are

the Messiah.” Mark 8:29

"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go

hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever

follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

If you are tired and frustrated trying to paint your own life only to realize that you are lost, confused, disappointed, and upset with the way your picture is coming out, may I invite you to turn your eyes and heart towards the master artisan who can take all the shattered pieces of your life and create a beautiful mosaic that only he can bring about. His name is Jesus Christ, and he came to set us free from ourselves and to show us the best way to live out our lives. He is waiting for you.

There is a song written by Michael and Terry Talbot called "The Empty Canvas" that I would like to introduce you to :

An empty canvas waits before the Painter It waits to be the painting it must be Unto this end it's rightfully been created To reflect rightfully what the Painter sees A beauty that will surely find its life within its dying So another might be born again In this constant death a constant beauty is created Within a constant love that never ends Jesus is the Master Painter And the Holy Spirit is the Master's Brush To be dipped in the colors That portray a Father's love

That the Master's painting might be born of us That the canvas of our life might know the Master's touch To portray the beauty of the Master's Brush So an empty canvas waits before the Painter An empty canvas destined to be hung Within the gallery once it has been created Will the canvas bear the beauty of the Son?   ***********************************************************************************

May you come to see your life painted as God sees you.

In his love, see you again tomorrow....

"Carpe Momentum in love." (Seize the moment in love)