Master artist

“Hmm,” my college art teacher says. Then again, “Hmmmm.” 

She’s looking over my shoulder. At the simple drawing. Graphite lines. Bare bones to plan and guide the assigned painting. 

“Bigger. Go big!” She says. With increasing volume. Her arms flying out for emphasis. “Stretch it out. Go biiiig.” 

The startling command contrasts with my small, neat pencil sketch. So confined and contained.

Listening to a master artist

Going big is scary to this insecure artist. Challenging my tendency to control shapes and spaces. Coloring outside the lines I’m used to.

Then come unpredictable brush strokes of paint. Watercolors bleeding everywhere. Color on color. Washing over the edges.

What to do?

Eventually, I listen. To the dramatic prodding of my instructor, a master artist.  

Exploring

Her dare stretches me. And I enter a new world of seeing beauty. In the undefined border. The abstract. 

Exploring the mystery of leaving an unpainted space for contrast. Emphasizing shape and shadow. Revealing light.

Soon, to her delight, I begin experimenting with new methods. Richer colors. On the textures of dry and wet cold press paper.

Edges

In this journey with the Lord there are times I want to keep the lines neat. Contained. Ordered according to my comfort. 

Predictable edges.

But His call takes me beyond the confines of safe measures. Past what I’m able to see. Or control.

Master Artist

He invites all of His children. To the bigger canvas. The extraordinary painting of His purpose and plan. 

Stretching us away from our limited views. Toward the vision of the Master Artist. We grow. And learn to be about the will of our Father.

On this canvas, there is mystery. And beauty. Deeper color. And a wealth of joy. 

Worth it all

We walk by faith.
And the risk? The unknown? The unmapped? 
Worth it all.
For He is glorious. 

“He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”
2 Timothy 1:9

What about you?

How has the Lord expanded your vision? Taken you past the comfort zone? Revealed the beauty of His plan and purpose?

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