IT’S AMAZING!! Dating back to the late 1950’s, the Etch A Sketch is one classic toy whose cultural presence has extended beyond it’s intended role as a children’s doodling device! Still popular today, the “toy” has become a device used by young and old alike to create real complex art! Now, I confess, I never really progressed past the doodling level of creativity, but according to the instructions, anyone who really wants to, can master the Etch A Sketch! All you have to do is learn a few basic techniques and practice-practice-practice!! As a “doodler”, the neatest feature of the Etch A Sketch is the ability to erase the imagery of your work in progress if you’re not satisfied with your efforts. Just flip the gadget over, give it a couple of light shakes and VOILA, a clean drawing board ready for a new beginning!
IT’S AMAZING!! When we consider our spiritual relationship with God, we should be grateful that He allows us to function much like the Etch A Sketch! The blessing of “free will” allows us to engage life and make decisions. Those decisions whether good or bad, mold our character. Our character thus becomes the imagery that communicates who we are to our family, friends and the world around us. When we find that our decisions have created imagery that is not what it should/could be, God gives us the opportunity to clean our slates and begin anew!! In Colossians chapter 3, Paul sets forth some practical exhortations for every day living. In verse 3, he reminds those that had heard and responded to the gospel of Christ at Colossae to “Set their minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” They needed to continue striving to change their lives to reflect the image of Christ! Thus in verse 5, he tells them, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry.” He continues in verse 8, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (v9) Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices, (v10) and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Knowledge of Christ and his will is key to transforming our image into the likeness of his. So with our slate clean and our hearts open, let us focus on the words of Paul as he continues in verse 12, “Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, (v13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (14) And above all these put on love, which binds everything in perfect harmony.” or
IT WILL BE AMAZING!! With the desire for a new beginning, an open heart and the study of God’s word, we will be amazed as He “cleans our slate” and transforms us from “doodlers” into “master artists”, creating in us a life that reflects the image of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ!!
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love,…your mercy,…your grace,…and your long suffering towards us. We thank you for the opportunity to have and to know your word. Grant us Lord the strength, courage and determination to allow the power of your word to transform us from the likeness of the world into the likeness of Christ!! In His name, amen!
Ron Smith
Beeville, Texas
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