God is a master artist who takes endless lengths to shape you, loving you through every trial until you become a masterpiece.
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SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. I’m sure you know that our friend Joni is a gifted artist. And here she is with a little art lesson for you today.
JONI: It’s a fact that if the artist is really enthralled with a painting that he’s working on – if he is inspired by the possibilities, if it’s captured his imagination – that artist just won’t let up until the painting is perfected. I have experienced that with more than a few of my paintings and drawings. I remember getting an original concept for rendering a horse; it was inspiring, and so, there I was, in the middle of the night deciding which materials, what colors. Should it be a painting or a line sketch? I could not wait to get to my art easel the next day. I drew the composition, just as I imagined it, and I kept sketching and erasing until it was just right. And today, honestly, that museum quality sketch is hanging in my living room. And many limited-edition prints have been made of it.
In the same way, God is enthralled with us, His divine works of art. We have captured His imagination, and God is not going to let up until we are perfected. We are something that God is making and, therefore, He just will not be satisfied until we, His work of art, have a certain character. C.S. Lewis calls this the “intolerable compliment.” The artist may not take much trouble with an incidental sketch, but if it is something that he loves, the artist will take endless trouble rubbing, scraping, re-commencing the drawing for the tenth time. That sketch, like us, might wish you were only a thumbnail drawing that took less than a minute to complete. But C.S. Lewis says, “In the same way, it is natural for us to wish that God had designed us for a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then, [if we do that], we are wishing not for more love but for less.” Wow, what a great quote, and believe me, I do not want God to love me less. Ephesians says that we are God’s workmanship; we’ve captured His imagination, His heart. He is up at night, as it were, thinking of you and taking endless trouble to create a certain character in you that He loves and delights in. Yes, the hardship, the rubbing and erasing is tiring, but please do not wish for God, the artist, to love you less. Welcome that trial. Rejoice in that suffering. Boast in the affliction, for then you know that you are a masterpiece of His mercy. And once you’re convinced of that, you would not have it any other way.
Hey, I’d love for you to take a look at my artwork; in fact, I have some fresh new Christmas card designs I’d like you to see. Just go to joniradio.org where I have put a link to Joni’s Art. In fact, that horse drawing I told you about, that link will take you there, too. And it’ll take you to my Christmas cards as well. Oh, and I have an idea: if you know someone who is lonely, put them on your Christmas card list this season. Because there are people out there who are wanting less of God's love, but you can convince them that more of God's love – not less, but more – is always better, always hopeful, and always more joyful.
SHAUNA: And listening friend, one more thing. If you are that lonely person – perhaps you are single and struggling with God's design in your life, we want to hear your story. We want to lift you up in prayer. So go to joniradio.org and let us know how we can pray for you. And while you’re there, remember to check out Joni’s art and get some of her stunning Christmas cards to send to your friends and family. Let’s purpose to thank Jesus the Divine Artist in our lives for loving us more, and not less, through every hardship. We’ll see you later at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends