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My son once told me that artists create sketches by first carefully penciling many lines on paper.

The desired result is then achieved by erasing all the unnecessary lines. I once read somewhere that a gifted author writes down every word that comes to mind and then skillfully removes the ones not needed.

The Lord teaches us contentment by gently removing whatever makes us discontent. We don’t always know the source, but He does. We are foolish, imperfect, greedy, grabby, and dissatisfied with what we think we love. We imagine we can fill our empty hearts with created things. Yet sometimes when we receive what we asked for, we push it away in disgust, like a tomato rotting on the vine.

God is the master sculptor. He takes our lives, like a pristine piece of stone or wood or ice, and chisels away tiny slivers to form the perfect masterpiece—smoothing edges that don’t reflect the amazing work of art He purposed us to become.

When we feel as if we’re under the sculptor’s chisel, the artist’s eraser, or the writer’s delete key, God gives us good news. He uses our discontentment. His perfection is revealed in our unique imperfections. He wants others to see Jesus more clearly through the gaping holes, the worn-out places, the broken pieces, and the missing words of our lives. 

Even though the battles with dissatisfaction will never end in this life, we will become more experienced warriors. Internal conflicts are good. They reveal the Holy Spirit’s presence in us, fighting with and for us. We face our struggles courageously so we can encourage others in theirs.

Ask God to help you be content with your imperfections, then point others to Jesus today.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)