[picture of the finished wall in our living room]My husband and I had been wanting to paint the walls of our house into a different color. It might seem like a "foolish plan" to paint the walls when it still looks good, but painting a new color over it would make it more beautiful. When my son heard it, he got excited and wanted to help us out. So, off we went to the nearby home improvement store and got all the materials we needed. Choosing the color became easier as my son, also had given his input.
The plastic was laid all over the tile floors as my husband brought out the cans of paint and the brushes of different sizes. He put a scoop or two of the paint into the container with the handle and with the brush. He gave it to our son, not knowing what to do at first. Patiently, my husband and I guided him. Awkward with his strokes of going up and down, sometimes, sideways, the wall started to emerge in a different light.
“I’m sorry, mom and dad,” he uttered.
“Why?” my husband and I wondered with his apology.
“’Coz….I’m too slow. I had only painted a small area and I’ve been here for a few hours now.”
“Son,” I said without hesitating, “This is your first time to paint, don’t forget. Dad and I think you’re doing a great job because look! There was no splatter on the floor or anywhere else and look at your area, it might be small but it looks great because the paint is even. I would rather have you be slow but you’re getting the things done in proper way than be fast but messy and the wall would look with uneven layers of paint. You’re doing a good job! I love you.”
“Thanks mom and dad. I love you, too,” he replied.
The following day, my son was so confident and was ready to paint an area all to himself. He knew what to do now. And this was the wall he painted by himself and my husband and I were so proud of what he did as he learned patiently the day before. He might be a "beginner" in this project but putting his heart into it, learning patience and endurance at the same time, made him ready for the work that needed to be accomplished.
Laying on the couch, resting with sore shoulders, God brought something into my mind as I started to talk privately with Him. He has a painting project, too that’s been going on and we, His children, are also a part of it. We tend to be slow and awkward but He is always there, our Dad, guiding us, cheering for us.
When we splatter and mess up, He lovingly roots for us, despite our weaknesses. But when we triumphantly are able to accomplish things well, He is the first One to cheer. He is always faithful and patient and His “I love you’s” endures forever.
Look at Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 1:25 -30:
25- “This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. 26- “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. 27- “Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28- “God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, 29- “so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” 30- “God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom.”
Yes, God’s plan of salvation sounds “foolish” to those who don’t believe. But the “foolish” people who simply accept Christ’s offer are actually the wisest of all, because they will live eternally with God. God’s way of thinking is far above ours. We are not to value the “painters” more than what is “painted”. Christ’s painting project seems so “foolish” to you, who doesn’t believe. Our society worships power, influence and wealth. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant and he offers His Kingdom to those who have faith, not to those who do all kinds of good deeds to try to earn salvation. Christ is the mighty power of God and the only way we can be saved. Knowing Him personally is the greatest wisdom anyone of us, can ever have.
So, are you willing to join in and be a part of Jesus Christ’s painting project? Are you willing to trust in His plan and help out painting the walls of this earth?
