Welcome to "Joni and Friends" and I’m Joni Eareckson Tada.
Some years ago my art teacher told me about a famous Japanese artist named Hokusai. The paintings of this artist were coveted by royalty in Japan. One day, the story goes, a nobleman requested Hokusai to paint one of his prized birds. He left the bird with the Japanese artist who assured him that "The painting will be ready in a week." The rich man missed his beautiful bird and was anxious for the end of the week to come so that he might not only have back his pet, but the new painting. Finally after a week, the nobleman arrived at Hokusai's door. However, the artist humbly requested a week postponement. The seven day delay stretched into another week, and then another.
Six months later, the rich man stormed into the artist's studio. He was furious and refused to wait any longer. "And I demand right now both my bird and my painting!" Hokusai, in the Japanese way, bowed low to the nobleman, turned to his workshop table, and picked up a brush and a large sheet of rice paper. Without speaking and without delay, he effortlessly executed the most striking, most stunning painting of the bird. It was an exact likeness of the beautiful bird
The owner of the bird stood there amazed. Then in the next instant, he was angry. "Why did you keep me waiting so long if you could have done such a wonderful painting like this, in such a short time?"
Hokusai replied, "Ah, kind sir, you do not understand." He then escorted the nobleman into a room where the walls were completely covered with paintings - all kinds of paintings - of the same bird. It was one study, one practice piece after another, each more beautiful than the last. But none of them matched the grace of the final rendering which the nobleman had watched being created before his eyes just moments earlier. My art teacher’s point was very clear. He said to me, "Joni, nothing of real worth or lasting value comes easy. And it's true with my own artwork, although I don't paint nearly as much as I used to - hardly ever now. To others it may appear that I sit in front of an easel and, with a quick little bit of inspiration, I'll render a drawing that looks spontaneous and effortless. But no way! In years past, there have been hours of research and experimentation, color tests and test sketches behind it all.”
In a way, that's true of the canvas of our lives. Behind every attractive Christian life are hours of discipline, hours of prayer in secret places, days of diligent study of God's word, obedience when no one is looking, and much more. I Timothy 4:7 says, "Train yourself to be godly." And training takes a lot of time and a lot of effort. Nothing of real worth and lasting value comes easy - whether it's a painting or a person who claims the name of Christ. So remember the example of Hokusai. This humble artist was a master at his craft, but only because he worked at it diligently. Remember, train yourself to be godly.
And since we’re on the subject of art, please take a minute and come over to my radio page at joniandfriends.org and see a wonderful video we’ve posted showing me at work in my art studio, painting with my mouth – it’ll really show how I’m able to manage those brushes and pencils. Also while you’re there, pick up your free copy of “Access to God” which includes a beautiful array of my artwork, all to encourage you, or perhaps you might want to encourage a friend with it. It’s there for you at joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
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PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376