Accept, Accept, Accept
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
As I continue my study of “The Great Lie”, this week’s discussion focused on “Accepting My Life”. It’s the only one I have and God is painting a glorious masterpiece. I want to believe it is glorious, but seriously some days it looks like nothing but messy. When I don’t accept the life God has given me, it is as if I take the brush from Him and attempt to paint what I believe to be picture perfect.
Honestly, doesn’t everyone have days and seasons that we really wish we could blot out? You know, the days turned to months that look like there is no plan, much less a sovereign plan. It seems that somewhere something tilted too far to the right or the left. All of our plans and dreams seem to have gone off course. And yet, if God is sovereign, can my life that belongs to Him go awry?
I well remember the day that my friend Mari (Artistry61.com) introduced me to a new art technique called acrylic pour. Google defines it this way:
“Acrylic pouring is a painting technique where acrylic paint is mixed with some type of pouring medium and then poured onto a surface in a variety of ways. After that, the surface is tilted in each direction to let the paint flow and the colors interact in unpredictable, yet always interesting ways.”
As Mari attempted her first pour, I watched her intently hoping to imitate her perfectly, not wanting to mess up. You see I don’t like messy. I like the perfect painting, the orderly book, the straight line, the formula that always comes out right. She assured me there was no right or wrong way to this technique. “Just enjoy it Martha, you can’t mess it up.” I observed how she joyfully and quite carelessly dripped her paint colors all over her canvas. I admired as she, with childlike glee, tilted her canvas to the right and then to the left. At first it looked like a mess until the colors all began to run together and create the most beautiful and unique masterpiece. Could I create the same outcome?
With paint in hand I sought to imitate her careless drips. My personality led me to carefully and cautiously tilt my little canvas. After a few brave tilts, I became freer and freer at this new found creative art. I well remember when the real freedom came. It was when Mari commented that we were missing an important component to this art day. Worship Music! We pressed play and as worship filled my heart, I began to move my little canvas like a carnival tilt a whirl. When the pieces were finished, I was exhilarated at the messy beauty. And yes, when it was complete, I absolutely loved my creative piece.
Life often feels like an acrylic pour--out of control and messy without a definite plan. Combine this with drops of pain and clueless insight and you may shockingly stare at a canvas of confusion that can quickly turn to anger, resentment, disappointment and unbelief.
God’s ways truly are so different from ours and this life requires trust.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
My newest favorite statement to myself is,
“There is something that God knows that I don’t know, so I accept your ways O Lord.”
Therefore, I will trust my life to this mighty and sovereign God who is in charge. The one who doesn’t change from day to day. He never falls asleep or forgets what He is creating. He never makes mistakes so I can rest that what appears to be nothing but an ugly mess will somehow turn to beauty. Accepting my life with all of its twist and turns is so much easier as I give God the paintbrush and enjoy the beauty that is emerging.