A Masterpiece in the Making

The beauty of the natural world that we deeply admire is brought forth by physical force of pressure and contrasting friction. We admire the beauty found and created through contrast.  

We marvel at the mighty movement of the waves of the sea and the never-ending force of sediment crashing on the shoreline to create the marvelous ocean cliffs and rocky crags that frame the most picturesque ocean’s shore.

We are captivated by the rugged grandeur of mountain ranges and their awe-inspiring peaks with their flower laden foothills and valleys that have been brought forth through God’s mighty tectonic forces.

We behold the ever-changing glory of the sun’s golden rays as it cascades its warmth and light through the landscape of a cloud draped sky.

The masterpiece of our own lives is brought forth through seasons wreathed in weary challenges and replenished by tender, God-given experiences that leave indelible marks of joy on our heart. Seasons of stark contrast polish our faith and deeply root our souls to be filled with a heavenly purpose. In the journey of our lives, we may travel through the valley of a hard-pressed season of illness, find that we must pivot our path on professional or personal goals, and navigate the unknown as we await our heart’s desires. Rest assured, God’s beloved, in all things our Lord is working with purposeful refinement for the good of those who love Him.

The mighty women and men of faith, stretched through the pages of the Old and New Testament, are those that history speaks of being hard pressed through the force of difficulties and a myriad of challenges to become firmly fashioned with an unshakeable faith.

From Abraham, to Moses, Job, Joseph, Ruth, David, and Paul, refinement through perils and pressure brought forth a soul fortified as that of steel and strength to fulfill God’s divine plan and purposes. In the book of Hebrews, we are reminded that “we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses … and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

We see that God allows pressure and contrasting friction to shape and mold our hearts with a gentleness for others and an unshakeable faith in His abounding and limitless power. The Lord breaks down the fibers of doubt to build fortified muscles of faith, strength, and resiliency. The eloquent words of the 19th-century Scottish theologian, preacher and poet, George Matheson, once said, “Tell me that I am only forced to climb because Thy house is on the hill!”

Beyond the natural world, music deeply resonates with us through stirring piano solos and captivating songs tied to moments and memories in our life that were filled with great beauty. The classic compositions played on the ivory keys of a Steinway piano are created through immense pressure. Nearly twenty tons of pressure is needed to keep a Steinway piano in tune to create the dynamic range and harmonic depth. The testimony and influence of our own lives can be that of a melodious masterpiece written and fine-tuned at the hand of the Composer of all Creation.

Life’s pressure points reroute and reshape plans to move our lives to uniquely align with God’s divine purposes - plans that are far more marvelous, blessed, and wonderful than we could ever imagine. In our lives, our Lord intricately crafts with the precise amount of pressure and contrasting seasons of pressure and peace, a steadfast moral fiber tightly woven with unwavering fortitude and a fearless faith. In the wondrous journey ahead, rest in the Lord, knowing each of us are a masterpiece in the making that will bring forth a radiant life to honor our Lord and His heavenly purpose. ~

Written by: Jenny Cox

www.jennywrites.org