Have you ever met someone who dives into a project with both feet? They buy all the materials they need at the moment and the bells and whistles they may want at some future time. I am one of those people. For example, watercolor painting fascinated me so I bought brushes and paint. That makes sense. But then, I had to have a carrying case, palettes to hold my colors, tracing paper, miskit, different weights of watercolor paper, and fine-line marking pens. I can’t draw so I went out and bought 15 books that held images that I traced before I painted. Taking classes in watercolor painting improved my skills; and I was cranking out 2 to 3 pictures a week. Then I stepped over the line and into craziness. I bought an expensive matte cutting machine, thinking I would matte all the pictures I had painted.

For some reason, the purchase of the matte cutter along with the busyness of writing, ended my time with watercolors. A neglected bird still sits in a cherry tree waiting to be finished. And so my painting passion wanes, and brings up an interesting question.  How can I identify what will be a fleeting fancy and what will be lasting?

Fortunately, “the Bible tells me so.” Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy]. Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive… Isaiah 55:2-3a (AMP) This Biblical counsel encourages me to keep time and things in perspective.

My new passion is jigsaw puzzles. Have I  learned anything? I hope so. I only bought one to put together. Anyone want to buy a brand, new matte cutter?

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Struggling with pain on a daily basis seems like a lot of wasted time and energy. Surely God has something better for us to do then suffer. But maybe not.

 Jeremiah 15:19a says: “Therefore, this is what the Lord says: ‘If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence, And if you speak noble words, rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman…‘” (HCSB)

This Scripture suggests that out of our worthless suffering (and its many labels of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, etc.), there are virtuous consequences. Our pain, when dedicated to God, brings forth noble words of praise and inner renewal. We become God’s spokesperson to those around us.

When friends call and ask, “How are you?” I do a quick inventory of my physical body. What if I do a spiritual inventory instead? Out of my mouth then comes words of praise and joy for my God, whose love never fails. Serenity and security replace grumbling and lamenting. The encouraging words I speak reflect my God’s glory, not my own peevish complaining. At that moment, despite my worthless pain, I represent Holy God.

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