chapter 23 "poor smudges of paint..."

This morning, as I'm drinking coffee and listening to worship music, I read a devotional that spoke of God's artistry, workmanship and all around great talent in being God. It spoke of His purpose for our lives, and how He is not undecided in what that is. I've been asking the Lord lately what my purpose is, and as my brother very wisely (and quickly!) pointed out, His purpose is for me to be happy, truly. To travel, eat, pray, love, wander...and I am awed that the creator of this universe, created it just for me and just for you. For His glory, so that others can see it, so that others veils can be lifted and receive Him in their hearts.

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." |Degas

What I feel and what I felt this weekend when we were up at Broken Bow, OK was the unchanging truth that God is a big God. I was telling a friend that there's nothing quite like the mountains to make God bigness and man's smallness come into perspective.  And that He called me out of my darkness into His light fills me with joy.

"I am the work of your hands." |Isaiah 64:8

We're "poor smudges of paint" (C.H. Spurgeon), the reading said, that God uses to pour His grace into a dark World that desperately needs light to shine. The truth that I could be part of that light is daunting and exciting at the same time. What is my purpose?

When I am stirred to love someone, even in a small way, I see how awesome He is in creating me for that precise moment. That He would even consider me to carry out anything in His name is humbling. It fills my heart that whenever I say, "yes" to Him, He uses me to bless others.

When I say, "yes" to His promptings, His story is being told.

I'm thankful for that. So, so thankful.