Facepainting

I've found that kids have an innate way of revealing profound spiritual truths through their behavior.

This past Friday, my church had a festival of sorts for the kids in our JAM programs that we called the JAMboree.  There were games, food, races, crafts, prizes, and, of course, fun.  I was signed up to help with facepainting for the first shift.  Now, the last time I did anything remotely artsy was doodling in study hall my freshman year of high school.  Needless to say, I was a bit worried about my skill level.  And yes, I was painting the faces of 5 year olds who couldn't even see what I was composing on their face, but I couldn't help it.

Anywho, a little boy named Lucas hopped up on my chair and pointed directly at the sketch of Mario (from Super Mario Bros.) that Tim (our Graphic Designer Big JAM overseer... go figure) had drawn.  And, of course, I couldn't talk him out of it.  Surprisingly, my steady hand and attention to detail proved invaluable as I proceeded to draw a magnificent rendition of my man Mario.  As I continued to paint perfection on Lucas' face, he struggled to maintain his composure and was getting antsy.  He kept fidgeting, moving his head around, shifting each way so I was painting in awkward positions.  I kept trying to tell him to sit still and be patient, but it was tough.  "If he could only see what I can see," I thought to myself.  Finally, I dotted both eyes with a really stellar blue paint and declared victory.  He was thrilled when he looked at the pane of glass on the door and saw his favorite video game character immortalized (for the next 47 minutes) on his right cheek.  Mission accomplished.  My tagline:  "Just call me Pablo."

Parallelism.  Feel free to insert your name where I have put first person pronouns.

As I thought about what had transpired with Lucas Friday, I couldn't help but see the resemblance with what God is trying to do in my life.  God is trying to create a masterpiece out of my life.  He wants desperately to see the perfection of His Son lived out through me.  With each brushstroke, each circumstance, learning opportunity, and manifestation of His grace, He deeply wants to create excellence out of me.  The problem is me.  I fidget.  I turn my face to awkward positions.  I don't listen.  I smack the brush away.  I smear what's already been completed.  I'm so incredibly impatient.  I'm sure God is frustrated with me and my stubbornness.  But I'm also sure that He will never stop painting and creating a masterpiece even though I may get in the way.  Our God is the true Master Artist.



Father,
You are the true Master of the Painted Sky.  I know You are wanting so badly for me to be exactly who You created me to be.  I know that You are molding me and building me and I know that You are faithful to complete that which You began.  You will not leave me incomplete.  You are creating a masterpiece in me.  Father, help me to let go and let You perform this work.  I know Your vision for my life is far greater than I could imagine.  I struggle with believing it because I can't see the masterpiece you are painting on my face.  Help me in my unbelief.  Help me to be patient and wait expectantly for You to make me the man you always intended me to be.
Sincerely, Your son and blank canvas.