In one of his picture books, Barney Saltzberg asks all young artists: What can be done when your paper tears, a corner gets bent, or paint drips on your project? Throw it away and start over?
No, Saltzberg has better ideas, and through the pages of his book demonstrates his creative mastery of the mishap. A tear in paper, for example, can become the snaggly smile of an alligator. A bent corner can be turned into the head of a penguin, and paint drips into wheels on vehicles.
Saltzberg titled his masterpiece, Beautiful Oops!
What perfect imagery his book presents for the beautiful life Jesus creates out of each of us!
Without Jesus we make ourselves victims of mishaps and mistakes, motivated by the desires for self-gratification, power, and notoriety (to name a few). The results can include: gluttony, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, physical and emotional abuse, cheating, and slander (to name a few again).
But with Jesus, even those mishaps and mistakes can be transformed into something beautiful:
“Anyone united with the Messiah
gets a fresh start, is created new.
The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!”
–2 Corinthians 5:17, MSG
And what a life it is!
Those of us who ask Jesus into our lives get to enjoy incredible benefits such as:
- A new perspective. No longer are we scrabbling for the next gratification, promotion, or thrill. Our eyes are opened to the delight of blessing others.
- A new source of power. Dependence on ourselves is exhausting and worrisome. What a relief to rely on Someone all-wise and strong, Someone who even knows what will happen in the future.
- A new certainty. No more lying awake at night with unanswerable questions pounding in our heads—questions like, “Is there life after death? How can a person know whether there’s a heaven and hell? If there is, how can I be sure to experience the former and not the latter?” One step toward Jesus settles those questions. The believer knows his eternal destiny in heaven is secure.*
- A new plan of action. No more striving after things that don’t satisfy. Life takes on new meaning, purpose, and fulfillment when God is integral to our lives.
(“The meaning of earthly existence lies not,
as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering
but in the development of the soul.”
- New delights, such as: 1) anticipation and hope for the future, 2) awareness of God’s presence, 3) augmented relationships, and 4) understanding of and pleasure in Bible reading.
The person who doesn’t know Jesus may read this list and doubt its validity. Perhaps they don’t sense the need (yet) for these things or they question Jesus’ ability to provide them.
But like all the Oops in Barney Saltzberg’s book, we don’t really know the difference the Master can make until we turn the page.
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Have you turned the page to new life with the Master? If so, what aspect of your new life would you add to the list above? Share your experience in the comment section below!
* Why would we believe what Jesus claimed in the Bible, that he’s the One to trust for the gift of eternal life in heaven? Whole books have been written to answer that question, to prove that the historical record of Jesus is accurate and his claims are absolutely true. One I highly recommend is The Case for Christ (Zondervan, 1998) by former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, Lee Strobel.
Mr. Strobel was an atheist when he embarked on a thorough investigation of the evidence for a historic Jesus and his claims. When he had finished, Mr. Strobel had this to say: “The great irony was this: it would require much more faith for me to maintain my atheism than to trust in Jesus of Nazareth” (p. 265)! Mr. Strobel was convinced by the overwhelming evidence and chose to become a Christian.
(Art & photo credits: www.pinterest.com (2); http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pinterest.com (2); http://www.azquotes.com; http://www.pinterest.com.)
From the Inside Out 
great words here, Nancy. That book sounds like one I need to add to my story room where the grandkids gather to read. Good lesson too.
Thank you, Jean. Jesus does provide a beautiful life in so many ways.
And Beautiful Oops is a delightful book; your grandkids are sure to enjoy it!
I will be sharing Mr. Strobel’s book with my nephew. Love his quote “The great irony was this: it would require much more faith for me to maintain my atheism than to trust in Jesus of Nazareth”.
Aside from that…I love everything about this post. The pictures, etc., and most of all your descriptions as we who have accepted Christ have an entirely new lens through which to view our life here on earth as we await His Return!
That’s it, Cheri! Jesus gives us an entirely new lens through which to view life. And what a huge blessing that is. Praise God! P.S. I pray your nephew will find Lee Strobel’s book intriguing and convincing.