Pastor’s Thoughts

Echoing God's Love, Charles Mills

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. 1 Corinthians 13:12

When I was a child a playmate told me that God lived in the clouds. From that moment on, every time a storm rumbled across the sky or lightning sparkled in the distance, I concluded that my heavenly Father was angry at me. I’d run off and hide, hoping that He’d get over His unhappiness and allow the sun to shine again.

Then people told me that God wanted to live in my heart. All I had to do was invite Him in. This I did with great solemnity. But from time to time I’d do something foolish and figure that God had probably moved out in disgust. I really couldn’t blame Him. Who’d want to live in an imperfect heart?

On those rare occasions when I did something noble or good, I’d glance at the mirror and grin with satisfaction. “I’m not such a bad home for God,” I’d say to myself.

Maturity brings a degree of understanding to all children. At long last I fully understood what others were trying to tell me. God wants us to think and act as if He were living inside us, controlling our actions, guiding our thoughts. He made the clouds and the little boys, too. That’s the real truth of His presence. But with these realizations came a growing longing for an even deeper understanding of God’s nature. I wanted to paint, as it were, a picture of Him to hang in the gallery of my life.

Have you ever felt that need? Have you ever wondered what it would take to recreate an image of God in your life? Allow me to share a few suggestions.

First, start with a clean white canvas, because God is sinless and perfect. Our easel must be strong, for God is our foundation. We purchase the best pigments, since God always provides what’s best for us. Our brushes should be made from the finest materials, for God can be painted only from purity of thought and action.

Now we begin by sketching an outline of our hopes and dreams, smoothing subtle shadows of doubt into the bold lines of victory. This forms the background of our masterpiece.

The face of Christ appears next as we trace the eyes that lovingly watch our every move, the ears that hear our every cry, the lips that speak words only we can understand. Next we form the hands that felt the nails, the feet that run to our aid, and arms that longed to hold us.

If our paint dries out, we wet them with our tears. It makes the colors brighter. Finally, we frame our picture using rough, timeworn wood from the cross.

When we hang our masterpiece, we notice a lone Figure standing before it. He looks intently at the colors and studies every line. “Well done,” he says. “Enter now into the joy of your Lord.”

With thanksgiving we fall at the feet of the Master Artist. And with songs of gladness, we leave our brushes behind. Thank you, Pastor Grant