Tai: Do you think she's pretty?
Cher: No, she's a full-on Monet.
Tai: What's a Monet?
Cher: It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess.
Cher: No, she's a full-on Monet.
Tai: What's a Monet?
Cher: It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess.
For those of you who are not familiar with Claude Monet, he was an impressionist painter from the 1800s. Part of the beauty and intrigue of this artist is that it is so difficult to see what his works are when one is up close; the brushstrokes cause an overwhelming “What is going on?!” feeling in the eye of the viewer. As soon as that person were to move further back and look at it from a different angle, however, all the brushstrokes, colors, dabs, and dots come together to create a beautiful masterpiece that can only be seen when we have taken the time and effort to move far enough away to see the beauty of how each artistic stroke works together to create the captivating painting.
Over the course of the last few months there have been a series of incidences that have all been related and seem to be drawing me closer and closer to some exciting new plan that God has for me. One particular day I felt an overwhelming, inaudible voice telling me to step out of my comfort zone and just follow his leading…so I did. I had an “oh my gosh” what just happened moment and later sat down with my roommate to tell her all about everything that has been happening. I had been praying for God to just give me some sort of confirmation or clarity on the situation. The next morning I woke up to find a beautiful card written by my loving roommate:
“Good Morning Roomatey! I pray that your day is filled with joy and clarification while I was praying. I could not stop thinking about your situation. After giving it some more thought I think that this situation among the others is a part of a much bigger picture. It’s as if we’re standing super close to one of Monet’s masterpieces. We can see the colors and the lines and we know that it is a painting, but the real image of it all takes a different perspective. In due time, the Lord will have your hand as you trust in Him and step back to see the work of art come together. I do not think He is trying to tease you or test your weaknesses. I think He is drawing you closer to trust in Him. For when we trust in Him with the little things, we become capable for trusting Him with the big things; and vice versa. I think it is best not to try to figure out every stroke. Instead, keep your eyes fixed on the artist, for He is good.”
I thanked God after I read this card. I thanked Him for giving me a discerning, God-driven roommate. I thanked Him for using her to speak to me. It was such an encouragement; He was just letting me know that He has total control, so I just need to keep being faithful and trusting because He makes all things work together for our good. It made me think of what The Message Bible says in Matthew 6:
30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
So for now, I am going to relish in the blessings God is pouring out during these present moments and confidently anticipate His faithfulness that has been, is, and will come. Thank you God for using each and every big and small moment to increase my faith and encourage me.
