(11.06.20—Keeping It Together!--Ephesians 2: 1-10)
My friend, may I ask you a question? Some marriages are “rutted” and rather dreary because either or both partners have yielded to the tyranny of the inevitable, “what has been will still be.” Would it be better to stay open to newness?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I’m M. Clifford Brunner?
The great masterpieces of our age! When we think of the word, “Masterpiece,” we’re often reminded of one of the most famous portraits ever painted, The Mona Lisa. Painted between 1503 and 1506 by one of the greatest artists to have ever lived, Leonardo da Vinci, the soft and gentle portrait rendered in subtle and muted tones is of an unknown but lovely lady known only to the great da Vinci. It is estimated that more people have viewed this small, simply rendered portrait than any other painting known to man. Hanging in the Louvre, Paris, the portrait draws stares and puzzled looks from most viewers. Is she smiling or is she frowning? Who is she? Why did da Vinci paint her? Is there more to the portrait than simply what we see?
Here’s a story: Recently, after close and careful study of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous portrait and painting, The Mona Lisa, Dr. Mark Lawrence, a noted art scholar and researcher, made a discovery that may have finally brought some resolution to the debate as to whether or not da Vinci was communicating more than just a portrait with his beautiful master- piece. He theorizes that da Vinci painted his own profile along the border of the veil on the face of the Mona Lisa. Using modern digital scanning that allowed the researcher to peer behind the layers of paint and varnish, Dr. Lawrence was able to discern the dimensions of the upper facial profile along the outline of the veil that matches the Self-Portrait of Leonardo painted in 1512. This discovery places the painter in intimate contact with the subject, giving the world a never before seen second, self-portrait of artist, Leonard da Vinci.
Whether Lawrence’s theory is true or not, it’s remarkable that this possible da Vinci deception could have gone undetected for nearly 500 years. It’s also truly mysterious that each one of us has also been created in such a way–from before the beginning of time! The Apostle Paul writes, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God, the great and divine creation artist, painted His self-portrait into each one of us since before creation. Perhaps like da Vinci, God designed each one of us with a purpose beyond the merely visible. He made us in the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. It’s His profile that’s evident behind all that we do and say. May each of us live lives that reflect the profile of our Savior. When we catch the stares and puzzled looks of unbelievers around us, because of our witness, may we properly reflect back to them the mysterious and beautiful image of Jesus Christ.
We pray. Heavenly Father. God, You are the great and divine creation artist, as You painted Your self-portrait into each one of us since before creation. Perhaps like so many great artists, and You being the Greatest of them all, You designed each one of us with a purpose beyond the merely visible aspects of our character and appearance? Indeed, You have made us in the likeness of Your own Son, Jesus Christ. It’s His profile that’s evident behind all that we do and say. Forgive us Lord when we fail to live up to that image and poorly reflect the image of our Savior. May each of us live lives that boldly reflect the profile of Jesus. When we catch the stares and puzzled looks of unbelievers around us, because of our witness, may we properly reflect back to them the mysterious and beautiful image of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.