Imperfect Masterpieces

He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. (Deut. 31:8)

Deanna wrapped her sweater around her shoulders more tightly and sighed. She was cold, and she knew the tingling numbness in her legs would make it difficult to get up when the nurse called her name. Everything was such an effort now. She fingered the pearl handle on her cane and thought back over the last two years since the onset of her illness and that dreaded diagnosis. How her life had changed. The pleasures of playing tennis, long walks on Saturday morning, and shopping at the mall would never again be part of her life.

In the middle of her sorrow, however, she had found a new and unexpected joy. Her friend Ruth took her to a neighborhood Bible study, and with extra time on her hands, Deanna delved more deeply into God’s Word. She began to cultivate new interests also. She was on the prayer team at church, and she started painting again, a talent long neglected.

In each season of life, the Lord provides opportunity as well as challenges. He guides us into new adventures when we allow Him to show the way. When illness strikes, God has not abandoned us. In this new season God will unlatch new doors when we open our hearts and minds to Him. The same physical encumbrances that slow us down can also make us more sensitive to the quiet whispers of God, the nuances of His Word, and the needs of others.

When Michelangelo carved his famous statue of David, he began with a flawed piece of marble. But by allowing the limitations of the defect to inspire his creativity, his resulting masterpiece was all the more beautiful. As God creates a masterpiece in you, He can use the imperfections in your health to sculpt you into a more perfect child of His.