There is a famous painter known as Renoir, when he was all very old after painting his whole life he developed arthritis so bad in his hand he was in constant pain, as his assistant walked in while he was painting he noticed his eyes watering and hand shaking in pain, and when his assistant asked “why keep painting, if it is causing so much pain.” Renoir responded “The pain passes, but the beauty remains..” The pain passes but the beauty remains… what a powerful statement.
Sunset-At-Sea Painted by Renoir in 1879
Renoir has been dead for nearly a hundred years, and yet his paintings are still enjoyed. The beauty of his life, and the value of his work lived on. According to ArtNet, a number of Renoir paintings sold at various auction houses in May 2014 for prices ranging from $32,500 to $3.5 million. Two of Renoir’s paintings have sold for over $70,000,000. Friends life has no shortage of difficulties, challenges, and obstacles. I know its difficult to be generous with money when you have bills of your own to pay. I know its challenging to volunteer at your church or community outreach when you already have a full time job or you’re a full time parent. I know its tough to be kind and forgive those who have wronged you. The pain that comes with doing the right thing will always fade, as the beauty of letting God’s Life, light, and love shine through you, takes its place.
The bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:18b (amp)“..for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.” Everything in this world will fade away eventually. Even the paintings of Renoir, but what never fades is the love you show to people. You don’t have to change the world, quit your job, or do anything extravagant. You can make a difference right where you are. Jesus said in mark 11:42 “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” He’s saying that if you do something as simple as give a drink of cold water to a child he takes note of it, and will reward you for it in heaven! It didn’t cost you a thing, its just water, but you did it out of love you did it for God and the child. Not only does God take note of your actions but he actually takes it personally.
Read what he says in Matthew 25:35-40 (MSG)“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’ “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me’.”
Wow. We all have an opportunity to show our gratitude and love towards our God in such a beautiful way. You can make a difference in your church, in your job, in your community, in your life. And I know that serving like everything else in life can become a grind, and its easy for your confidence to be shaken that you are actually making a difference, and in those times I pray you bring yourself to this verse found in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (AMPC) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
God bless,
Jake
Comments