by Jordy van Gaalen

More Than Just Correcting Errors

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

I studied art in college. I learned quite a few life lessons and discovered much about myself. This particular lesson opened my eyes to perspective.

I grew up with the connotation that an eraser’s sole purpose is to fix mistakes. I was taught to ALWAYS use a pencil in math. Many mistakes happen, therefore a pencil lends itself to being erased. When I messed up drawings or when I misspelled words, the eraser on the back of my pencil was my best friend. My only perception of an eraser was that it was meant to correct my errors.

But then I took Drawing I my freshman year. In drawing class, especially while using charcoal, we were taught to completely rethink our eraser’s purpose and functionality. Instead of simply a tool to correct mistakes, it was shown to be an object that would add and subject information. An eraser could add in highlights, it could clear away details that may start looking fuzzy, it could be used to make unique textures. We could use an eraser like a sculptor uses a block of wood. 

Depending on your perspective, an eraser can be so much more than the box we put it in.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us… For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”
2 Corinthians 4:7, 11-12 English Standard Version

The way Jesus looks at our mistakes is quite a bit different from the way we look at them. He looks at us, His children, much differently than we look at ourselves too. We are His canvas, we are His clay. Jesus’ love is more than just about fixing our mistakes and sins. The way He views our mistakes, the way He views us is far more than we can see in our narrow eyesight. He has far more planned for us than we could imagine. 

God has a greater purpose for us, that we may never get to see on this side of heaven. God can use our “mistakes” and even our sins, to contribute to His Kingdom. He can work through the bad and make it good. He can make a masterpiece out of our chaos and out of our ramblings and out of our mess. God will work good and make His Kingdom glorified no matter the actions we make. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 New International Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado