BY JESSICA LANDMON
The Bible is full of truths to help us live the life that He intends. Unfortunately, without exercising the right tools the right way, our lives will look nothing like God’s plan for it.
Let me explain it to you another way. My daughter loves art and is very strong in drawing and sketching. A little over a year ago, she decided she wanted to expand her art portfolio to include painting. Now, she has natural artistic ability, but she has never received any specific painting instruction.
Full of passion and excitement, she set up her easel and started to paint. As you probably would imagine, things didn’t go as well as she hoped. She had all the right tools – paintbrushes, fan brushes, paint knives, and so on – and all the right paint, but she simply didn’t know how and when to use each one properly. The result was a frustrated teenager who could have easily walked away and said painting wasn’t for her.
Flash forward a few months, she decides to go at it again. Wiser this time, she doesn’t want to do it alone. Instead she decides to paint along with everyone’s favorite Bob Ross, currently streaming on Netflix. He took her step by step through the painting process. Boy, what a difference! I may be partial because I am her mother, but what a masterpiece she created.
Ladies, in the same way, God wants our lives to be a masterpiece – a series of events wisely woven together to reflect the power and love of Jesus in our lives. It’s not our fault if we don’t know how to do it, but with the right instruction, we will succeed. But, you can’t do it alone.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
— John 14:26
The Bible at times can be confusing. When you don’t understand it fully, it can be hard to apply it correctly to our lives. We need the Holy Spirit to teach us, lead us, and show us the right choices to make. We must rely on the conviction that only the Holy Spirit brings when we are getting off course and dabbling in areas that are dangerous to our Christian walk.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
— Hebrews 4:12
I encourage you to not only read the Word, but allow it to transform you and guide you through this life. These are not just words on a page — they are the very words of God, alive and active, ready to produce fruit in your lives. This is your tool box. Again, don’t feel badly if you do not know how to use it all. But, please don’t try to go it alone. Invite the Holy Spirit into your life, listen to His instruction, and watch your life become the masterpiece that God intends.