January 28, 2018

Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Through The Chaos

We've all seen the stereotype of artists being extremely messy people. Half completed work, supplies everywhere, ideas & inspiration written on napkins & scraps of paper, and half eaten meals laying around the studio space.   Though you might find some that match this stereotype, I believe more artists actually have a harder time de-cluttering their mind more than their space.  The artistic brain rarely rests.  People will say things like..."HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THESE IDEAS?"  "HOW CAN YOU WORK ON MORE THAN ONE PIECE AT A TIME?"  "HOW DO YOU HAVE SKETCH BOOKS FULL OF DRAWINGS & NOTES?"   We are able to accomplish the things because our mind so full of thoughts, feelings, ideas, images....it can be overwhelming & exhausting at times.  It is often the act of creating that allows the artist to find peace through the chaos & to channel their overworked minds.  

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3

Do you feel overwhelmed at times?  Finances, health, family, work, technology, relationships, vehicles, world events, natural disasters....the list can go on & on.  Life can throw a great deal at us.  Sometimes it is all good....but a lot. Sometimes there is some good and some bad.  Sometimes it seems hopeless.  We can feel like we're unable catch our breath before the next "thing" needs our attention.  How can we handle these feelings of being overwhelmed in a world that doesn't seem to give us much of a break.  In Isaiah 26:3, the author states that "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast; because they trust in you."  It doesn't say that perfect peace comes when the world slows down.  It doesn't say that perfect peace happens when you catch a break.  It doesn't say that perfect peace is a result of your world being without chaos at all!  It says that peace will come when our minds are "steadfast" & "we trust in you".  When I read these words, it seems that it is in the midst of our struggles...in the midst of being overwhelmed...in the midst of our pain....that is when we are able to experience God's peace in our life.  Those things give us opportunity to trust God.  Through the chaos we are able to see that God is faithful.  When we actually have opportunity to put into practice our faith....we can find peace like we've never known.  The struggles of life do not disappear, but they will not overwhelm us when we trust the one who is always there, always loving, always faithful, and always holding us close.

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