The Master Painter
For my kind of service, I was number thirty-five. As soon as
I sat down in the waiting area, number thirty was called. Thirty-one was next,
followed by thirty-two. When thirty-four was called, I was already sitting at
the edge of my seat- ready to go next. But all I heard was,
"Thirty-six!" Stunned, I immediately queried why they had skipped me.
The attendant gave a vague explanation and told me to be patient. Unamused with
having to wait longer, I sent a text message to a friend complaining about how
my patience was running out. My friend replied, "Maybe God is using this
opportunity to develop patience in you." I was definitely not expecting a
sermon but appreciated it anyway.
Realizing the wait might be long, my eyes wondered on to a
man painting the office ceiling. The painter looked at the surface before skillfully
selecting the right size of brush with which to paint. He painstakingly used
smaller brushes for the edges of cornices or chandeliers. For spacious places,
he carefully lifted a roller brush from the container of paint and moved it
expertly back and forth leaving a beautiful coat of paint on the ceiling
surface. On some parts, he moved the brush slower than on others depending on
some criteria upon which he regularly paused to check compliance. Not
completely distracted from registering my car, I seized the opportunity to go
express my frustration to a different attendant. To my shock, he told me my
never was never skipped but instead accused me of not paying attention when the
number was called.
Whatever really happened, the experience illuminated to me how
we are God’s workmanship - his precious and priceless work. He treasures us and
through everyday life experiences is carefully designing us like a master
painter into exactly what he desires (Ephesians 2:10).
