God Paints

Before I could scribble my name with a crayon, I was painting pictures of the world I saw around me.

Growing up I enjoyed watching “The Joy of Painting” which was a show hosted by Bob Ross. I would sit amazed by how he could take a blank canvas and quickly convert it into a landscape with pristine lakes and frosted mountain tops. What amazed me even more was the process between the beginning and the end.

He would always start with an empty canvas and prime it with a thin coat of white paint. He then would proceed to make all sorts of strokes and lines followed by what seemed like a strange assortment of colors all disorganized about the canvas. Had he not so carefully explained what he was doing step by step, I would have thought to myself “this man is crazy, there is no way knows what he is doing.”

As a painter, having that assumption made about your work before it is complete is rather annoying.Having someone stand over your shoulder while you are doing anything that you are skilled at can add tension, but having them criticize you in an area that they know very little of and that you are perfectly gifted at completing is more than trying on our imperfect human patience.

Many times in my life I have questioned God. I have boldly and ignorantly demanded that He tell me why my life was falling to pieces wondering what I had ever done to deserve such an ill-fitting set of circumstances. There have been times when I have confronted God, and told Him how things could be better in my life, and prayed selfishly for my will be done rather than “Thy will be done.”

One day I was painting, and talking “at” God rather than “to” Him, and I felt Him say to me “Be quiet.” He reminded me of the many times I have had on lookers criticize my paintings before they are finished, and I quickly realized that that was the very thing I was doing to God.

God is the supreme artist, and He is the only one who sees the entire canvas of our lives. He is the one person that we can fully trust, knowing that He will not betray us. You may be experiencing a shade of darkness in your life right now. You may not understand what God is or is not doing. However, find peace in knowing God has a detailed plan and He will perfectly finish the painting of your life if you allow Him to.

These verses confirm His plan for your life.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11