Week 3 - Bearing Fruit: Character - Day 12 - Tuesday

Written by Kelly Dagley

The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena has an unfinished painting by Rembrandt called “Portrait of a Boy.”(http://www.nortonsimon.org/collections/browse_title.php?id=F.1965.2.P) The painting shows Rembrandt’s working method, his use of jumbles and piles of paint, which make up the foundation of the boys clothes, hat, and the background. What is most striking is the boy’s eyes are very clear and detailed. The painting captures the moment when the artist’s masterpiece is just beginning to take shape. It shows where the artist began his work, with the face. Everything else in the painting flows from there.

This painting inspires me on many levels. First and foremost is the fact that it is unfinished, yet still priceless. This painting is imperfect but still brings joy and pleasure to those that view it. I think the same is true of our Masterpieces. We do not have to be completed to bring joy to others. We do not have to have everything together to be effective ambassadors for Christ. We just have to be “in process.” What makes us even more priceless than Rembrandt’s unfinished work is that we can continue our process and not stay in a static incomplete state.

Reflection:
• What materials do you have to work with for the Masterpiece of your Character? (your gifts, experiences, etc.?)
• Where are the beginning sketches already drawn? What is the current shape/state of your Masterpiece? (Where are you now)
• Reflecting back on your inspiration from yesterday, where are you feeling inspired to begin or continue work on the Masterpiece of your character?

Practice:
• Solitude: Find some time today to sit quietly and ask God how He is uniquely calling you to work on your Masterpiece. Don’t focus on your faults, but focus on how he has uniquely gifted and inspired you.