Originally written on July 30, 2013
Once, there was a man. He was known globally for his masterpieces in art, architecture, and music. People around the world celebrated his masterpieces, and viewed him as one of the all-time best masterminds in his trades. He believed in Jesus, but didn't give Him any of the credit for his talents. One day, while working on what was meant to be the man's greatest masterpiece, Jesus appeared to the man.
Man: "Lord! What brings you here today?"
Jesus: "I am always here."
Man: "Right. What do you wish to talk about?"
Jesus: "I don't wish to keep you, but I wish to talk about works of art."
Man: "Okay, what about them?"
Jesus: "Let me show you my own works of art."
Immediately, the man and Jesus were standing near Niagara Falls, looking at the roaring waters, and how powerful the water can be.
Jesus said, "Here's one of my simpler works of art: what man calls 'Niagara Falls'. In water, I have displayed my two primary attributes. I am calm and beautiful, and I sustain and refresh life. Yet, when I must, I am as powerful as a roaring waterfall."
The man, while amazed, still didn't see the point of this illustration. "Lord, this I already know."
And Jesus replied, "Very well."
They then appeared in the midst of a massive forest fire, without being affected by the flames. The Lord spoke, "Here, I show my life-giving, soul-cleansing qualities once more. While the flames may cause this forest immense pain in the short term, I do not let it engulf the world. And once the flames have died down, it helps the seeds of the plant life and life is breathed into it once more. Then fire, often misrepresented as mere destruction, is actually full of life - and it burns away the dead and dying to make way for the better, stronger, life-filled trees in your life."
The man, still missing the picture, says, "Lord, I believe all of this. What is the point of repeating to me what I already know?"
Then replied Jesus, "Soon, your eyes will open, and your soul will awake."
Next, they were standing just outside of the orbit of the moon, with a breathtaking view over the entire earth. Jesus spoke once more, "This is the rock that you live on. It represents my omniscient care for all of humanity, in more than one way. If the earth was just a bit closer or further from the sun, life on the planet would be impossible. I set the earth exactly where it is because I knew this, and I wanted to have one unique planet in my vast universe that would be 100% unique - filled with life, a way for me to express my majesty in a different way. Then, several thousand human years into its existence, I came from my throne of majesty, and humbly came as a human baby. I lived on this earth, endured the very torments humanity deals with, and I overcame it and set you free from the very curse that humanity brought on itself."
The man started to understand, as he replied, "Father, I've always seen pictures of the earth, and thought it was remarkable, but you've shown me what it's like to see it from afar - and to think you came to it, just to save me and the others around the world... it's not a thought to take lightly. Thank you, so much, Lord."
Smiling, Jesus stated, "I just have one more thing to show you."
Instantly, Jesus took the man to a large star-forming region in the midst of space. There were brilliant colors of blues, reds, yellows, whites, greens, and purples along with large and bright specks of light that were the beginnings of stars. Jesus named each of the forming stars, and said, "Mankind has not seen this before. Look out and behold the glory of my creation. Many think I created all of this for a certain purpose - as though I've put life elsewhere. However, the universe is declaring my glory in more than one way." Jesus revealed to the man the sounds of the quadrillions of stars, pulsars, and rocks throughout the universe, along with the sounds of nature on earth which all played together to a beautiful song of worship. The man was instantly humbled by the complete beauty of the worship that all of creation gives back to Jesus.
Jesus asked the man, "Now, if every single thing in creation can sing to me, and give back to me what I've given it, and declare my glory, why can't you?"
"Lord, I'm so sorry. I've lived all of my life believing in you, yet I never gave you any credit. You deserve all of the fame and glory, I don't want it anymore. Take it all - I don't deserve it."
Smiling, Jesus put His hand on the man's shoulder, "Because you've humbled yourself, and given everything to me, I will increase your renown among the people of earth, and I will continue to bless you more than ever before. Give everything back to me, and you will receive more than you ever imagined. To fully experience my blessings, you must humble yourself before me and use your blessings for my will. Now go, and act on this inspiration. Follow me, and you will never stumble."
Humbled, yet inspired, the man was returned to his studio, where he created the very best piece of art he had ever done: a piece of art depicting himself and Jesus, standing and looking out over the star-forming region. People from all around the earth saw this masterpiece and again, gave the man the utmost praise. This time, the man directed all of the praise to Jesus. Jesus, invisible to the world, smiled, and whispered to the man, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Man: "Lord! What brings you here today?"
Jesus: "I am always here."
Man: "Right. What do you wish to talk about?"
Jesus: "I don't wish to keep you, but I wish to talk about works of art."
Man: "Okay, what about them?"
Jesus: "Let me show you my own works of art."
Immediately, the man and Jesus were standing near Niagara Falls, looking at the roaring waters, and how powerful the water can be.
Jesus said, "Here's one of my simpler works of art: what man calls 'Niagara Falls'. In water, I have displayed my two primary attributes. I am calm and beautiful, and I sustain and refresh life. Yet, when I must, I am as powerful as a roaring waterfall."
The man, while amazed, still didn't see the point of this illustration. "Lord, this I already know."
And Jesus replied, "Very well."
They then appeared in the midst of a massive forest fire, without being affected by the flames. The Lord spoke, "Here, I show my life-giving, soul-cleansing qualities once more. While the flames may cause this forest immense pain in the short term, I do not let it engulf the world. And once the flames have died down, it helps the seeds of the plant life and life is breathed into it once more. Then fire, often misrepresented as mere destruction, is actually full of life - and it burns away the dead and dying to make way for the better, stronger, life-filled trees in your life."
The man, still missing the picture, says, "Lord, I believe all of this. What is the point of repeating to me what I already know?"
Then replied Jesus, "Soon, your eyes will open, and your soul will awake."
Next, they were standing just outside of the orbit of the moon, with a breathtaking view over the entire earth. Jesus spoke once more, "This is the rock that you live on. It represents my omniscient care for all of humanity, in more than one way. If the earth was just a bit closer or further from the sun, life on the planet would be impossible. I set the earth exactly where it is because I knew this, and I wanted to have one unique planet in my vast universe that would be 100% unique - filled with life, a way for me to express my majesty in a different way. Then, several thousand human years into its existence, I came from my throne of majesty, and humbly came as a human baby. I lived on this earth, endured the very torments humanity deals with, and I overcame it and set you free from the very curse that humanity brought on itself."
The man started to understand, as he replied, "Father, I've always seen pictures of the earth, and thought it was remarkable, but you've shown me what it's like to see it from afar - and to think you came to it, just to save me and the others around the world... it's not a thought to take lightly. Thank you, so much, Lord."
Smiling, Jesus stated, "I just have one more thing to show you."
Instantly, Jesus took the man to a large star-forming region in the midst of space. There were brilliant colors of blues, reds, yellows, whites, greens, and purples along with large and bright specks of light that were the beginnings of stars. Jesus named each of the forming stars, and said, "Mankind has not seen this before. Look out and behold the glory of my creation. Many think I created all of this for a certain purpose - as though I've put life elsewhere. However, the universe is declaring my glory in more than one way." Jesus revealed to the man the sounds of the quadrillions of stars, pulsars, and rocks throughout the universe, along with the sounds of nature on earth which all played together to a beautiful song of worship. The man was instantly humbled by the complete beauty of the worship that all of creation gives back to Jesus.
Jesus asked the man, "Now, if every single thing in creation can sing to me, and give back to me what I've given it, and declare my glory, why can't you?"
"Lord, I'm so sorry. I've lived all of my life believing in you, yet I never gave you any credit. You deserve all of the fame and glory, I don't want it anymore. Take it all - I don't deserve it."
Smiling, Jesus put His hand on the man's shoulder, "Because you've humbled yourself, and given everything to me, I will increase your renown among the people of earth, and I will continue to bless you more than ever before. Give everything back to me, and you will receive more than you ever imagined. To fully experience my blessings, you must humble yourself before me and use your blessings for my will. Now go, and act on this inspiration. Follow me, and you will never stumble."
Humbled, yet inspired, the man was returned to his studio, where he created the very best piece of art he had ever done: a piece of art depicting himself and Jesus, standing and looking out over the star-forming region. People from all around the earth saw this masterpiece and again, gave the man the utmost praise. This time, the man directed all of the praise to Jesus. Jesus, invisible to the world, smiled, and whispered to the man, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
