I am artistically challenged. Just hearing the word “art” makes me feel a little queasy. I remember when I was in school, and they required us to take an art class. I would have rather cleaned the toilets with a toothbrush than take that class. I’m not sure I will ever forget the day they told us we were going to make a pinch pot out of clay. All I could think of was…seriously? How in the world was that going to help me in my future? It was just torture, pure torture for me.
I think one of the reasons that I don’t enjoy art is because I’m not a very patient person. I want things done and I want them done now, and creativity often takes time which I’m not willing to give. I wish I could take that lump of clay and make something beautiful out of it, but if I’m honest, I’m just not willing to put the time and effort into making it become a reality.
I was thinking recently about the fact that not only am I artistically challenged, but I’m sometimes Christian challenged. I know how I should be living and what I should be doing, but I think about how much effort and time it is going to take to be the person God wants me to be, and I just give up before something beautiful can be created in my life. It’s often easier to do nothing and just be content with the status quo, than to push out of my comfort zone and allow God to create a masterpiece within me.
I also think fear often plays a part in my choice to not want God to work in my life. What will He ask me to do? What will others think of me if I am more vocal about my beliefs and values? What if I’m put in a situation where I speak out and I find myself standing alone? I’ve been there in the past…and I know it isn’t a very fun place to be.
This is the time of year when many are making New Year’s resolutions which often consist of eating better, losing weight and exercising more. While those are important things to strive for, I really feel God asking me to consider what I want my walk with Him to look like this year. Will I be satisfied with the status quo, or am I willing to walk on the journey He has set before me…wherever that may take me? Do I love Him enough to patiently wait for His directions and His timing or am I more bent on following my plans and ideas?
I like Jonathan Edward’s resolutions, and I’ve decided to adopt his as my own for 2025. They are simply this:
Resolution One: I will live for God.
Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.
Pretty basic, huh? Yes it is, but I think it is what God is trying to get through to me. Following Him isn’t rocket science. It’s just living each and every day for Him, listening and obeying what He tells me to do. I’m realizing that creating a masterpiece out of my life isn’t my responsibility – it’s His. My responsibility is to be obedient and if I am, He will make something beautiful out of this “lump of clay” named LuAnn.
Believe it or not, I still have that sad looking pinch pot that I made many years ago and I have it in my library as a reminder. I realize as I look at it that on my own, my efforts won’t amount to much, but with the Master Artist doing the work, I know I can hold onto the words in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” As I begin 2025, I am so thankful that HE IS ABLE!!
