Painting the Picture

Here’s a little activity for you to try! First, describe the following topics analytically (as a scientist, engineer, etc.):  rose, friendship, love, and family. Now, take those same topics but describe them artistically (like a poet, artist or singer). How did you do? Was one easier than the other? Probably. We each have our strengths that we employ to be an effective communicator, or learner.  We can use both approaches when it comes to learning about God, ourselves, and others. To only employ one technique will cause us to come up short in our descriptions.

The most challenging part is to try to describe God from our limited human standards! Authors, poets, theologians, and musicians apply their greatest gifts and skills, and we benefit from their expertise. It’s important for us to realize that our greatest source of information for understanding is God’s Word, the Bible. It’s powerful, lifechanging, new each day but timeless and unchanging. No wonder every time you read or study it, you gain some new understanding.

As a Jesus follower we are commissioned and privileged to share this Good News from the Bible with others. Keep in mind the various ways you can do this. One way will be more effective for some people than another way. But don’t just limit your conversation to the one approach you might think is best. All people can benefit from the way God’s Word tugs at their heart, but we also need to hear the true facts of what God has done for us through Jesus. We all need both!

God will place people in your life this week. You might think they are so different from you in values, actions, attitudes, and backgrounds. As you extend your friendship to them, and interact with them, you may discover that in many ways you are the same. And if they do not yet know Jesus’ love for them, help them to hear and experience His love through you.

Here’s a little memory device you can use. Do you remember making paper chains out of construction paper when you were a kid? It’s time to make another one! This time make it with just three links and let those links represent God, you, and someone else. Instead of the traditional linear chain, create it so that all three links are attached to one another. Let this represent the relationship that you and your friend are drawn into through our powerful, caring and redeeming God. Use your chain to remind you to pray for your friend and to look for ways to live out God’s love in your friendship.

4832 Ponderings:
 

• Do I seek to know God in His fullness or just in the selective ways that are more comfortable for me?
• Who may God be calling me to link my chain to and live my life and faith in a way that gives attention and glory to God?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13