A Fresh Perspective

A few days ago I was watching PBS (Public Television...for those of you who were wondering!) and I was fascinated by a show call Plein Air. Have you seen it? It's a painting show. Normally that kind of program puts me right to sleep (actually a deep coma) but this show was different. God was speaking to me through the PBS program. (Stop smiling!) I was really hearing the promptings of the Lord about my life and ministry as the painters were describing how they captured the scenery of the landscape and painted their vision of it on the canvas.

One particular painter talked about getting "fresh perspective" while keeping your eye on the main subject of the scene. She said that if there is no "movement" behind the painters easel then the painting isn't being seen with a "fresh" perspective. You can't just stand still and paint the scene...you have to keep moving. It's almost like you're dancing with the painting. (I know I probably lost some of you on that one...just watch more PBS and you'll get it.) The "shuffles" and "steps" behind the easel indicate that you are looking at the painting from close up and from far away. A great painter sees the painting from different perspectives without losing the main idea. A great painter sees the painting through the eyes of the "Average Joe". A great painter doesn't get lost in the brushstrokes but pulls back to see the bigger picture. (OK...now are you getting it.) Life, marriage, ministry, parenting....all of it is like a painting! An original masterpiece being worked on everyday. We must try to get a "fresh perspective" as we watch the canvas of our life change from a "blank page" to a true work of art! Take another look. Step back for a few minutes. Wait. Pick another color from the paint palette and see what happens. A fresh perspective keeps everything in balance.

In contrast, the second painter "destroyed" his painting because he was chasing the sunlight, the shadows, the clouds and his point of reference kept changing. (I thought his painting was pretty good...what do I know?) The second painter said that when there was sunlight he painted sunlight....when clouds rolled in he added clouds....when shadows were cast he added shadows....finally he took his canvas and erased all of the paint! His painting lost it's focus, it's perspective, it's balance because he was trying to paint everything! (Hello?) For those of us like the second guy....you can't paint everything! Pick one thing...get focused. Don't chase the shadows. Life brings constant change...which isn't a bad thing yet we must protect the vision, mission and destiny of our life by keeping things in focus! Paul said in Philippians 3:13, "...this one thing I do..."! That's a great reminder for all of us! So PBS...thanks for helping me to hear God's voice a little more clearly this week about my life and ministry!

Shalom,
Tad