A MASTER'S MASTERPIECE

A gifted painter was putting the final, finishing touches on his painting on a piece of canvas on an easel in a picturesque spot in a mountainous terrain. His students were assembled near the easel, keenly watching the beauty of nature depicted in the masterpiece with appreciation, admiration and adoration. Having completed his work, the master placed the palette with paints on the ground and slowly moved backwards to assess the painting meticulously. Suddenly one of the students turned back and was shocked to see that the master had reached the extreme edge of a cliff and the next step backwards would lead to a fatal fall into a very deep valley. He did not dare to warn him by shouting for fear of hastening his master’s fall by the shock of his shouting.

 He quickly took the palette and threw it at the painting, splashing the paints all over the painting. Shocked at the sight, the painter leaped forward to nab his student who destroyed his masterpiece. He shouted violently and abused the student for causing irreparable damage to his painstaking creation. The student silently suffered the humiliation. When the master had calmed down slightly, he requested the master to turn back and see the dangerous brink where he had reached just before the incident. He explained that his action was the only option to save his master’s life.

Everyone turned to see the spot and praised the intelligent and timely action of the student which saved a valuable life. The master embraced the loving student, begged his pardon for his reckless reaction and thanked him for saving him from a tragic death.

God is our loving father who has a clear plan for the welfare of every one He created. He may expose us to hardships and painful situations in life with a noble intention which we may fail to realize and recognize.

Pain, poverty and illness, ordeals, ridicule and loneliness may cause agony in our life. God provides each of us with the best environment required for optimum spiritual growth. But some experiences may appear to be bitter and unpleasant to us and we may even complain to God about our plight.

                     

The famous hymn of Sadhu Kochukunju Upadeshi (Evangelist M. I. Varghese),“Dukhathinte paanapaathram- Karthavente kayyil thannaal…” in the Malayalam language may be translated and sung in the traditional tune as follows:

“If my Lord offers a chalice

Full of worries into my hands,

I will accept it with pleasure

And sing ‘Hallelujah’ with thanks.

My father will never offer

Anything that is harmful I’m sure.

He may give me moments of pain

Still He loves me beyond measure!”

These spontaneous words of the great and gifted evangelist, when he witnessed the unexpected demise of his beloved son (Samuel kutty) continue to instil faith and consolation into millions of believers during moments of pain and grief.

St. Paul remarks, “I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” {Romans 8: 18}.

The Lord says, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for” {Jeremiah 29: 11}.