The Artist...Known as God

Recently The Lord has been relating to me on an "artist to artist" level. I've always been in awe of His handiwork. I love to sit and marvel while whispering praises to His Name for His outstanding sunsets and sunrises, starry skies and full moons, endless glistening oceans and striking spring and autumn trees. I've even been blessed to be able to gaze upon the dancing northern lights. What a sight! His creation, from the beautiful vistas to the joyfully praising song birds....all of it...is amazing to say the least. These are the things our Father has finished. He created them and looked at His creation and said, "It is good." And we get to see His finished work and repeat with Him, "Yes, it is very good."

I love to show off things I've finished. From a decorated room, to a drawing, to a beautifully presented meal, to a brochure at work...I love to unveil what I've been working on so tediously and watch for the reaction it receives.

It just dawned on me that The Father has let us in on the process of Him creating His ultimate masterpiece. In my pride, I cannot stand when someone looks over my shoulder or wants to see progress on what I am designing. It tends to look absolutely messy and totally unappealing, and in my perfectionist eyes, downright hideous during the process. Therefore, I like to cover up my work, hiding the jumbled mess until it is done and there is order and visual appeal. But our Father has left His work open for us all to see. In fact, open for us to take our part in it, so that we can all marvel together in the finished masterpiece...enjoying a small taste of the satisfaction the Artist receives when He looks at His finished and beautiful work.

So my friends take heart. In this life we will see many ugly things. Our world will at times seem messy and hideous and cluttered. We will think, "How will this ever be made beautiful? Lord why are you allowing this? How can You use this?" But as an artist, I know of the essential power of contrast. It is a design principle that is necessary to create something lovely. Without it, nothing would sparkle, nothing would pop, nothing would shine. Why do you suppose sunrises and sunsets are so breath taking? The contrast of the dark sky up against a radiant horizon creates the most amazing colors known to man and allows us to see the glistening sun, and the sparkling stars, and the glowing moon all at the same time! It's genius! And my friends, Our Lord, the ultimate Artist, does not waste anything. You, along with all your trials, and joys, and tears, will fit into the Master's mosaic. You may get to see the beauty of it now, as we often do, when our God so graciously works things out for us and others to see...or you may see it later, in a much larger and much more splendid way.

One day my dear friends, The Lord will unveil His masterpiece for us all to see. And the One holding all the pieces together will be our Savior, Jesus Christ. We will see how all the dark parts and pieces of history and our lives are used so strategically to make the glory and love of our Father and our Lord BURST FORTH all the more brilliantly! And we will cry out with joy at what our eyes will finally see. We will see what for all of our lives, we only caught glimpses of, what we barely tasted. That beauty and joy we savor here for mere moments will be ours for eternity. What a glorious inheritance! Nothing can compare. Do not let go of that hope my friends! It will not be disappointed.

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” -1 Corinthians 2:9

“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people. And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more. - Isaiah 65:17-19