God's Masterpeice

… that all may see and know, observe and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this. (Isaiah 41:20)

Imagine going to a museum filled with paintings and sculptures from well-known artists. Would you hear those around you marveling at the companies that provided the paint to the artists? Would they be examining the pedestal holding that statue with great interest? Not likely. Usually, we pay much more attention to the artist who produced the work than the tools they used. In a similar way, as we contemplate the canvas of the day before us, let’s make sure we focus on God’s handiwork right before our eyes.

Throughout their history, the people of Israel had become a portrait of God’s power, compassion, and dedication. God had promised that if they followed his laws, they would become a living testimony to the nations around them that he was mighty and had authority to do great things. Even these foreign people would come to recognize God and want to join the Israelites in worshipping and obeying him. Now, it didn’t always happen that way, but this was God’s plan, and he never stopped helping his people embrace it!

Just the same, God has worked in countless ways in our lives, and he wants us to respond by following him and becoming our own portrait of his goodness. It can be hard sometimes to recognize—or remember—his work, but it’s there. Perhaps he has whispered words of affirmation in the middle of Mass. Maybe a fortunate coincidence really was a God-incidence. Even a stern word of rebuke from a friend can be God’s voice turning us from a destructive path! 

Sometimes we can be so caught up in the moment that we lose sight of this bigger picture. But Advent can be an especially good time to look back over our lives to see where “the hand of the Lord” has been at work (Isaiah 41:20). He is a master painter, and we ought to be in awe of the work he is doing in us. Even if we can’t see it fully right now, we can still trust that he is transforming us into a masterpiece of his grace and mercy.

“Father, I give you permission to keep working in me. I want to be a testimony to your love!”

from wau.org