Waiting (for Sadie)

Friends, this week we're going to be talking about waiting.

Waiting on God (instead of doing things our own way) is so difficult because we cannot see the final picture. Believe it or not, we aren't all-powerful and all-knowing like He is. And faith is hard. Especially when life seems dark.

But I have an analogy for you (which involves art. Shocker, I know):

We are like a painting. Ephesians 2:10 supports this idea by stating that we God's masterpieces. Or, in other words...

We are not the artist, but the artwork.

And it all starts with an idea (like the first photo):

God has a plan for each one of us, works to fulfill His design. He lays the framework, just a simple sketch (photo 2).

Afterward comes the foundation, shading but not specific, just to get the general shape laid out. Let's say that right now, we are living in this foundation stage (photos 3 and 4).

If we judge ourselves from there, we only see how messed up we are. But the foundation is never the finished product.

God continues on, starts adding in details, the little touches that bring us to life - real, eternal, Christ-like life (photo 5).

And by the end of our lives (photo 6), when we return to Him, He is finished. A glorious masterpiece has been completed.

Readers, God values the process and the messiness... because He understands that we are masterpieces in the making. Creating takes time, but it is a joyous journey with Jesus.

So take heart - although you may scold yourself for being flawed, remember that a work in progress is just that.

Besides, can a painting really judge itself?

If this dog painting (Sadie is her name) would've looked at herself during the artmaking process? Yikes. Sadie would've thought that she was a disaster!

But I, as the artist, knew that she wasn't finished yet. I had a good plan, I knew she would turn out wonderfully.

Our God holds the paint brush, every day adding a bit more to the canvas of our lives. He is our Artist, He says we are good. And He is not finished with us yet.