Your Masterpiece Or Your Master's Peace

Splatters of life come flying onto our canvas; attempts are made to maneuver their placement. Ego battles pride seeking individual arrangement within the brush stroke's of our masterpiece. Stepping back, you admire your work all the while forgetting what allowed its completion.

Today you can be a part of something greater, think about how you will be a part of a masterpiece. Do you want to create your own, or relinquish your brush to the Master Painter? By allowing His hand to guide your brush stroke’s you can become a true work of art.

Something special is going to happen today because it’s a new day! Opening your eyes, taking that first breath, maybe your first "for real breath," how exciting to see what ways you will be used on the canvas of this new day.

Whether this breath was your first, because you were a newborn, fresh from your mother’s womb or because you were saved by grace and newly born, does it matter? Why bother getting caught up in the logistics of which breath is most important? Both are given, therefore, they are and will be used. Surrendering to the artistry of your Master allows for the breath to be used for a purpose. Breathe in this fresh start with a new focus. Turn your attention to God and see how He will use your breath. Allow yourself new breath in Christ for this will lead you home.

No one knows what you're facing today, maybe not even you. No matter what happens with our splatters in life, we own our reactions to them or do we? Even these have been strategically formed in our creation. We will learn from every splatter, and be better for them.

Each splatter becomes part of a beautiful work the Master creates in each of us. This doesn’t mean that we’re not going to smudge the work a bit, adding a little too much shadow, or at times being a little heavy handed trying to get our way. We must learn to be patient, waiting for our brush stroke to dry, before seeing what comes next. We’re not in control, so, why not trust the Hand that is?

What happened to your painting today?

Were you the dad who saw his newborn inflate his lungs with a joyous fill today?

Were you the daughter who watched her father gasp for one more breath to say goodbye?

Were you the teen who released a sigh at the passing of a driving test?

Were you the girl taking a weak breath due to pain after joyfully walking away from your traumatic accident?

Are you the parent who got the call trying to remind yourself to keep breathing?

Are you a patient breathing through the journey?

Are you the family breathing as you wait for the journey to be in the past?

Are you the bride that feels his breath on her cheek as she waits for the first day as his wife?

Are you the groom mesmerized as you gasp seeing her walk toward you into your forever?

Are you the mom who breathes a comforting sigh knowing the baby moved inside of you for the first time?

Are you the mom trying to hold it together panting until bedtime?

Are you the family breathing between a hearty laugh of silliness?

Are you sighing a breath of loneliness as you pray for the answers to your moment?

Are you the broken trying desperately to take a breath?

Are you the healed breathing in the beauty and relief?

Are you breathing in your moments?

Are you breathing in, the moments of pain?

Are you breathing in, the moments of joy?

Are you finding they're one in the same when the breath of heaven is yours?

See that first breath changes everything, especially if you woke up today. The truth is, that breath was meant for you. That breath was paid for, so how are you going to use it?

Suppose we recognize, all that is given, good, bad, even indifferent is allowed. It’s allowed for the making a masterpiece. You’re a brushstroke, you matter and you’re important. Don’t let anyone tell you what your brushstroke looks like, or is going to look like, they don’t know, only the Painter knows that. The work being done within you today is part of the beautiful scene, of your future.

Our future is not in the breath of this life, but rather in the breath of heaven. It may be hard to recall that idea, in your minute to minute, however, if we take a moment to look back at our latest brushstroke we often see the masterpiece coming together.

Our circumstance does not define us, how we use it for our walk with Him is what makes for a life changing moment. Relying on our own masterpiece will be but a mere replica of the Master Artist’s work.

Just as in a work of art, we meet challenges along the way. When in battle with people it’s sometimes hard to remember that God has placed you together at that moment, to love one another unconditionally while perfecting the worst parts of yourself. When we humble ourselves to see the imperfection of self, over any of those in our path, we are then seeing the work we have yet to do. We are humbled by the love shown to us, the Masters special love given in every breath regardless of our very obvious imperfections. He sees our worth, why do we not see the worth in others as He does? Why do some not see their own worth? We are all a part of the big picture and yet we are blinded.

Sometimes things on our canvass become clouded, it’s all in how we see things. Are we seeing with a blinded eye, through a plank so large it obstructs our view of who we really are? Are we detecting a brick wall with limits that are binding and defeating? How about we open our eyes to the masterpiece and see it for what it is? We are, after all, a work in progress, right? What if as we stumble we start seeing the good in every happening?

We surely balk at the mishaps of communication during our days. We probably want to rebuke the conversations or obstacles that block us from moving forward. We must try to look at the bright side of the dark cloud on any given day. Most importantly, look closely at our own brushstroke’s that He has placed upon the canvass, and understand in retrospect what a wonderful and beautiful work He is doing in all of us.

In the times when something or someone is nipping at your toes, and causing distraction from His Masterpiece, try to look down and love the fact that it’s only at your feet, and you, are at the feet of the most-high. Keep your eyes on that future, on that masterpiece, and all the brushstrokes will come together for a beautiful work in you.

To live in view of the examples of works completed by the Master is a gift. To be witness to the testimonies of His faithful, while in the chaotic whirlwind of the scenes He is creating in them is pure beauty. To know and feel His grace in the action of a moment is breath itself. Living in the knowing that He sees us in our imperfection, yet knowing that He loves us anyway, this is how our brush stroke in life should be with others.

We will never make the brush stroke that we are meant to place in the masterpiece unless we allow the Master to help us in its placement. He can also erase the mistakes with His special techniques using everything from His grand design.

Forgive, live, laugh and love, but humble yourself to the joy of one more breath for Him. It’s not about the why, it’s not about the he said/she said, and it’s not about the critique of you. It’s not about the mistake you made today or tomorrow. It’s not even about your brush stroke. It’s all about the breath He has given, and the work He wants to do with you, and in you. It’s NOT about YOUR MASTERPIECE, but rather your final placement in your MASTER’S PEACE.