Making Monet

“’You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, and not from God’s.’ Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me.

“If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.’” Matthew 16:23b – 25

My Abba,

If I limit myself to a  “human point of view,” much of my life could look painful and pointless. I wanted a life with more rose petals, less thorns. That was my ambition. That was my dream.

Images of painters Picasso and Monet are coming to mind. If I am honest, I wanted less in my life that looked like Picasso’s blue period and more that looked like Monet. I imagined my “abundant life” would be marked by frequent strolls through chapters that resembled Monet’s garden scenes.

But this passage doesn’t sound like you promise a rose petal life to any of us. Shouldering my cross and giving up my life for you does not sound like the gospel of healthy, wealthy, and happily-ever-after.

Please show me more today about what you call “true life.” I know my idea of life is somewhat stunted by my humanity. I don’t want to clutch at a life designed by my limited imagination and lose the true life you perfectly crafted for me.

I choose to release what I cannot keep and receive from you what I cannot lose.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

From your “human point of view,” you can often feel hopeless and trapped. You know with your camera how important the right lens is. You can completely miss capturing the essential moment without it.

True life is like that. If you ask for my lens, I can show you what is eternal, vital, and beautiful. It will not always involve pastel, sun-dappled flowers, but the ways I redeem it are perfectly magnificent.

You are still holding on to certain outcomes as key to true life. But they are useless to give you life. I am the Author of life. I will give you the power to “take up your cross and follow me.”

I never ask you to just try harder. I only ask you to rely on me for everything you need to walk well. Ask for and receive my provision for you. That is what makes my burden light. Not the denial of your cross, but the reality of my provision and power offered freely to those who follow me.

In reality, there were snakes, ants, mosquitoes, and bees in the gardens Monet painted. Sometimes it was too hot. Other times it was too cold. But beauty triumphed!

Let me lighten your burden today. I will give you the grace for true life in your garden.

I love you,

Abba

photo: chertok