We recently attended a Christmas party with a “white elephant” gift exchange. The purpose is not to give or receive a gift of any particular value, but just to have a fun exchange. We ended up with quite a potpourri of trinkets none of which seemed to be of much value.
Earlier today my wife was going through these gifts and came across a picture of sailboats sailing a tropical sea at sunset. At first glance it didn’t seem like much, and she asked me if I was particularly attached to it. I surprised her when I sail that I really liked the painting. I admired its composition and even the brush strokes. She commented back that it was just a cheap print. I replied that although this is true, I still saw value in the painting, and wanted to keep it.
Our lives are much like a painting. Each hour of our lives adds a few more brushstrokes. As the strokes of the brush are added by the Creator, the patterns and texture may not seem to make much sense at first. But to the Creator the beauty added by each stroke is considered as he crafts the painting as a whole. The beauties of some paintings are found in their simplicity.
What are you living for? The life that lives in us is much more complex than a two dimensional painting. Much more complex! We were made in God’s image. We were created to be creative. We were created to have dominion over our world and live as an adult in a world with other adults. When we look at life like this, it takes on a whole new dimension and meaning. We can let go of those things we are clinging to that give us a comfort based on past experiences. Reach out for what is ahead of us. Strive to change what is in your power to change. Challenge yourself to be creative just as God is creative.
Changes That Heal is a book designed to lead you into meaningful relationships with yourself, others and God. You may think that this is backwards based on what you have learned in the past. Aren’t we supposed to put God first and self last? I challenge you that we must learn to love ourselves first, and thus allow us the healing in our lives that we can reach out to others, and through all this God will naturally be honored and receive worship. How can we “love our neighbors as ourselves” if we don’t love ourselves?
Has this book challenged you to see your life differently?
Can you see where you need to make changes?
How has this book changed how you relate to other people?
Do you see the need for more defined boundaries in your life?
Can you accept the goodness and badness that exists in yourself and others?
Are you ready to assert dominion over your own domain?