While we were at the park the other day, there was a man in a wheel chair making balloon animals for children. I stood in the long line up with Taelyn (my 7 year old son) while he waited his turn.
One of the first questions I heard the balloon artist ask each child was, “What type of animal do you want?” They, in turn, would respond with their choice of animal, and the man immediately set to work creating.
Taking just a colored piece of rubber - the balloon - the artist worked with precision. I was impressed with how skillfully he worked, never once taking his hands off the balloon. The material he was working with was, of course, quite fragile. I felt sure that with each intentional pull or push the balloon would pop. Some balloons seemed to resist his work. These would blow up and shrivel to the ground. Those that were more pliable, quickly took on their new form.
Of course a balloon doesn’t have feelings, but if it did, I imagine it would not have felt too comfortable with what was taking place. Having said that, without all the pressure - there would be no artistic creation. No animal. Just another ordinary balloon.
While the designer worked, I noticed the kids never once questioned his ability. They simply trusted his expertise, so they did not second guess his motives. Those children stood in line eagerly waiting for the finished product, with high expectations.
God is the artist of our souls, and we are His balloons. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.”
God has a specific design in mind for you. Yes, YOU! Before you were conceived the Holy Trinity sat down and discussed what type of person they wanted to create. They carefully crafted the design of your physical body, but even more importantly the design of your soul.
Knowing how vulnerable you are, the Holy Spirit has set to work shaping you. Every circumstance is a chance for God to tug at your heart. Every turn of events, is an opportunity for the carefully crafted, twists and turns of God’s very own hands, shaping you. He works with precision, knowing the exact amount of pressure that must be applied.
We tend to think that when life gets hard, when things are not going as we had hoped, that God is punishing us, or worse, that He doesn’t even care. We equate our struggles to the lack of God’s presence in our lives and sometimes we even conclude that God does not exist. Yet nothing could be further from the truth.
Jesus said; “In this world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Friend, Jesus told us this so that regardless of how uncomfortable we are, we could have peace in the midst of our trials.
Whether your tough circumstances are self-inflicted or you feel a victim of those hardships, Jesus has a plan to redeem them...to redeem you! Because to Him you are no ordinary balloon.
As the balloon artist finished his project, what touched my heart the most was the look on his face when he presented his masterpiece to the child. His face beamed in reaction to their delight.
Think back to some of the circumstances in your life. What did you or could you learn from them? How could God be using those experiences to shape you for “Good works?” How could you use what you learned to help someone else?
One day Jesus will stand before His Father and present you. Will you be a shriveled up piece of rubber, OR, His beautiful handcrafted masterpiece? It’s your choice.
God Bless YOU!
~ Donna
www.thecourtyardonline.com A Social Network for women who want to stay spiritually connected.
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