Painting with a Purpose

 As I prepared the devotion for Painting with a Purpose last week, I got to thinking about the whole painting process. 
Our lives seemed to be represented by the blank white canvas. We all have one; we are born with one yet unfolded- our life story. Basically, as our pastor and others have said, it's what that dash represents between our birth date and death date on our tombstone. 

The paintbrushes represent the tools God has given us- our gifts, talents and circles of influence. I can't touch the lives of all that you may, just as you can't necessarily touch the lives that I can. We are all put in a different circle of influence for different reasons. We are all given different spiritual gifts, if we are born of the Spirit, and we all have certain talents that God has bestowed upon us. These tools are what help us paint that canvas. But, we must have paint or color.

And, we all do. These paints are made up of our life experiences. Some are bright; others are dark. Some are similar shades of blue or red, but each is specific for each one of us. My colors will be different than yours because you have not experienced the same things that I have. But, I must decide how to allow God to use those colors of my life upon my canvas.

Just as Katie showed us by example how to paint our own picture, so does the Lord. He guides us, gives us advice from His word, and shows us step by step how to use our tools and colors so that in the end, He is glorified. We have to choose to listen to Him or not, to let Him show us how to use the colors we've been given to reflect His light.

We can just sit there, leaving our canvas blank, maybe because we don't like the colors He's allowed on our pallet. Or maybe we do not agree with the brushes He's given us to use. 

As we painted that night, I noticed that some paid close attention to the details of their work. They took pride in it and took it seriously. Some tired quickly, ready to give up and call it quits. Others used the colors they were given, stayed as close to the instructors example as possible. Many added details that others did not. 

Not one of the canvas' looked alike, when we were all done. And they shouldn't. Our lives will not look exactly like another's because each one of us has our own specific purpose and way of allowing God to use what He's given us to honor Him. 
Yes, God is the focal point of our life canvas, but we first must allow Him to be. We have to make that choice to let Him be our painting Master. Only then can He use our colors and brushes to make much of Himself.

A question for myself: What does my canvas look like? 

"So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place..." Hebrews 6:1 - The Message