You Are a Masterpiece
Intro story can be found here:
https://nypost.com/2021/04/02/couple-accidentally-paints-over-500000-work-of-art/
A South Korean couple mistakenly tarnished a half-million dollar American artwork when they painted over it.
“They thought they were allowed to do that as participatory art and made a mistake,” said Kang Wook, head of the exhibit at Seoul’s Lotte World Mall, where the accidental vandalism took place. The damaged 95-by-275-inch untitled piece was painted by a Harlem-born graffiti artist named John Andrew Perello, before a live audience in 2016 — and is valued at a whopping $500,000.
Arranged in front of the abstract opus were the paint cans and brushes used in its creation. They’re considered part of the piece, which may have given the aforementioned pair the wrong impression.
Indeed, video footage shows the impromptu impressionists picking up the tools and adding their own dashes of paint to the work. The video clip concludes with a closeup of the “reimagined” artwork, which now sports three ugly black splotches.
The artwork was splashed with paint by two people who apparently didn’t realize that their contributions were not appropriate.
After reviewing the video clip, gallery authorities apprehended the would be vandals at the mall. However, they subsequently turned them loose when the gallery decided not to press charges, as the graffiti job appeared to be an innocent mistake.
“We are currently in discussions with the artist about whether to restore it, or leave it” said Kang of the damaged display.
In the meantime, they’ve now cordoned off the exhibit with wire fencing and put up a “Do Not Touch” sign to deter others from adding their own splashes of color.
On the bright side, the incident has reportedly prompted a surge in inquiries about the display, and this artists work.
Today, friend, I would like to talk to you about a very important person. A person that is unique and skillful, gifted and talented-- a person who is so special, that there isn’t anyone else in the entire universe just like them---They have the potential to change the world-- in small ways-- or even in big ways… They are truly a masterpiece of a creation. You know who that person is-- It’s you. I’m here today to remind you (I think we often need to be reminded) that you are unique and extraordinarily valuable! It’s you that are indeed this priceless piece of artwork.
Yes, God created you, YOU, just as you are, and He did an excellent job. There’s no one else like you, and that’s fantastic! You are one-of-a-kind!
I want you to envision yourself as this wonderful and unique piece of art I mentioned before. You were created by the master artist, God himself. Ephesians 2:10
“10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.’
Did you catch that-- you are God’s handiwork-- his creation-- and you have a purpose to walk in. There are way too many times when I know I’ve forgotten this simple truth-- and I might have left some paints and brushes out for just anyone to come along and mar my identity-- cover over my uniqueness-- or worse yet, try to re-define, or re-shape who I am. I’m so glad you are listening today-- because if you’ve ever felt like you’re allowing or even asking someone else to tell you who you are-- I’ve got just the encouraging word for you today.
Another great passage that emphasizes some truth about who we really are---is Psalm 139:13-16 I love the whole passage, but these specific verses are powerful to think on:
13For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.a
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
I think we all understand and can be familiar with the first part of the passage-- I realize and can fully accept that God’s creative process starts even at the minute cellular level. Like when the sperm of my dad met the egg of my mom-- But did you catch the concept in verse 16? Basically I read that as--
God saw the whole breadth of your life-- AND THEN knit you together-- God saw and knows all the days, before they even happened-- and uniquely equipped you, built you, created you with those days in mind.
Earlier in the psalm when David says-- I am Fearfully and Wonderfully made-- he really says something powerful.
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Another great project that I’m working on:
Verse a Day podcast-- a daily scripture reading, brief devotional thought, and prayer-- its a free audio compliment to the verseoftheday.com website. I’m working with another pastor named Phil Ware and his team to produce his writing in a daily dose of inspiration. Please check it out and join me for this small, but powerful reflection.