I am learning to paint a sky. I imagined it to be much easier than it is. Bill Inman teaches me to glaze color on top of color to create the movement of the wind in the clouds. He spends much of his time instructing me how to make light shine through these clouds. I must insert tiny bits of light yellow into the tips of the clouds. If my brush is too full of paint, I make a blob of yellow instead of a highlight. I am immediately disappointed and wish I had not made the mistaken stroke. I realize my error but often do not know how to fix it. I am so distraught that I just want to quit, take my paints and go home.
For this reason, Bill is my instructor. He immediately understands what I have done. He explains that the wayward blob is a result of not using my brush correctly. Again, for the umpteen time, he demonstrates how to use my brush. Then, he tells me what color of paint is needed to obliterate my blob.
Painting is a spiritual endeavor. My sky painting has taught me so much about my heavenly Father who created our sky. I am reminded of the story of Abraham’s experience when he trusted God. God instructed Abraham and he obeyed. His faith was tested when he was told to sacrifice his only son , Isaac.
(Genesis 22:1-19) Abraham had the understanding that God would work things out. God would provide the sacrifice. He had his confidence in God, not his ability to climb this mountain. His faith was in God’s provisions, not in how awkward it was to ready his son for sacrifice. His whole experience was a God thing, not an Abraham thing.
I too must enter into a trust with each painting. My strokes feel awkward and my blobs are disappointing. However, by the hand of a master painter, I have renewed confidence. He can instruct me how to turn away from using my brush incorrectly and how to make light highlight dark values.
The Word of God instructs me on how to live my life to create a painting that is pleasing to Him. I have made some blobs and awkward strokes on my journey. However, my God patiently instructs me again and again until my painting is complete and a beautiful representation of Him.
Just like Abraham, I have spiritual highs and lows. I know each spiritual step is directed and corrected by my heavenly Father. Now, back to learning how to paint a sky.
Creating a beautiful sky is a God thing, not a human thing. So it seems illogical that we humans would look at the sky and think, "I could do that." God must be chuckling when we opine like that. For me it can be overwhelming when a master of any craft makes it look easy. So when I'm trying for the dozenth (Did I just coin a new word?) or so time to get that bend a little lower, I've learned to remind myself gently that it's not something that can be mastered in such short a time.
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented in so many areas, my lovely friend, so here's to more highs than lows.