The Sunday Sermonette – A Project of Titanic Proportions.
In the late 1960s, there were only three television stations along the Mississippi Coast—from New Orleans and the Coast’s WLOX. Now, from my easy chair, I have a myriad of stations from which to choose a night’s entertainment. YouTube is one, and Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration is one of its delights.
Last week, I watched Mr. Baumgartner, the business’s chief restorer and a master of his craft, restore a painting depicting the RMS Titanic. He carefully unwrapped the framed painting, which was not painted on canvas but on glass. Since this restoration involved the Titanic, needless to say, I was hooked.
Painting on reverse glass is complicated because it requires additional prep steps to ensure the paint adheres to the smooth glass surface. Sometimes, multiple paint layers and sealers are necessary. The restoration of the 1912 painting was extremely tricky due to its thick layers of peeling, cracking paint. The paint had entirely flaked away in places, leaving the painting with gaping “holes” that needed to be filed.
After painstakingly regluing the paint fragments he had saved to the glass, Mr. Baumgartner then painted sections where no paint remained. Adding to these problems was the complexity of painting on the reverse side of the glass while looking at the painting’s reflection in a mirror. After tedious restoration hours, Mr. Baumgartner stepped back, thankful for completing his “Project of Titanic Proportions.”
Many times in a Believer’s life, restoring him or her to a right relationship with Father God or with family and friends is also a project of titanic proportions—titanic but not impossible. The theme of restoration is painted all over the Bible’s pages, offering hope and encouragement in times of hardship, pain, and loss.
In the Book of Psalms, King David, who sullied his “canvas” through a series of painful mistakes, including adultery and murder, pleaded with God: “Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” Father God always desires to see His children restored to happiness, once their wrong choices smear their canvas with a dirty-brown wash. He desires to restore their canvas with a cleansing wash of forgiveness and joy.
Lest we forget, at its core, restoration often involves reconciliation with God through repentance of our wrongs to Him and forgiveness of those who have wronged us. That restoration can also help heal our emotional wounds, renewing our sense of harmony and peace. However, the Good Book doesn’t promise instant fixes for our problems but rather an enlightening journey of transformation, healing, and restoration.
Peter, the Disciple, wrote: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” This restorative journey is about fixing what’s broken and transforming us into something stronger and more steadfast.
Take heart, dear ones. God sees the dirt, flaking paint, and gaping holes on the canvas of our lives. He knows our challenges and struggles and is always faithful in the midst of them. He created us and knew us in the womb. And He can take any project of titanic proportions and turn it into a restored masterpiece showcasing His love for us, his wayward children.
Ponder this and go forth.