The hint of snow came yesterday to east Tennessee...and with it, the crossed fingers of many teachers and students to get one day off...alas, it didn't happen...hope deferred for another day.
This morning's reading had a quote which made me stare wide-eyed at the page...it said to truly love someone is to, first of all, see the beauty in that person. During this season, I find it easy to give money to a charity or organization and to feel like I did something good for a moment. Don't get me wrong, those acts of giving are important and worthwhile, but do I regularly look at the people around me and love them? Do I see beauty in them? Or do I just give them things in the hopes that they will see Jesus?
Then I heard a song that says, "Your will above all else, my purpose remains.
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise."
When I look back to the times when I have learned the most, or have been the most "teachable," I realize that they are the times when I felt at a loss....the loss of a loved one, the loss of my so-called identity, the loss that my parents felt as they left church ministry, the loss of childhood, college, etc...in those moments of not knowing, of questioning, of doubt, of feeling lost...in those moments we cry out for someone else to take over, to steady us, to make our purpose clear...and our purpose is to love...which, ironically, leads to more uncertainty if we do it trying to see the beauty in others.
Vinvent Van Gogh said, "The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people."
How's your art looking these days? Jesus was born in a messy place...a strange painting of a King coming to his people. Jesus lived in a messy way...painted a crazy picture for people who decided to follow him without reserve...and they lived in ways that didn't make sense to others, even the "most" religious of his day. So, how are your paintings, sketches, scultures, and such coming along? Messy? Good.....you must be becoming more like Jesus.
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