A blank canvas transformed

It's probably a few years ago now since I first started to write a regular blog.  My original intention was to update the blog weekly, and although there have been times such as holiday periods when I haven't maintained that schedule, I have managed to write something most weeks.  Usually an event or incident has happened during each week which has given me an idea to write about or reflect upon.  As the time approached for this week's blog to be written, however, I have been really struggling for inspiration.  My mind seemed blank.  In fact it's that image of a blank canvas which has helped to set me off down a certain line of thought.

I was further prompted by reading today that 83-year-old entertainer Rolf Harris has performed his first live show since his arrest over historical sexual assault claims, apparently receiving multiple standing ovations from the audience at the 'Rolf Harris Live' show in Bristol recently.  I have no wish to comment on the charges against him, but I do have very strong memories of Rolf appearing on TV during my childhood years.  I loved to watch him as he began work on a large blank canvas, armed only with a giant paint brush and several tins of coloured paint.

The way he put various splodges and brush-strokes of paint onto the canvas seemed at times to be very haphazard, and it was sometimes impossible to recognise what he was doing or what picture he was seeking to create.  On occasions it just appeared like an unholy mess!  Then, suddenly, the picture would seem to burst forth out of the canvas.  There is no doubt that Rolf Harris has an amazing artistic talent, and his paintings have become much sought-after in recent years.  It is wonderful how he can look at a blank canvas, imagine a scene in his mind's eye, and then transfer his thoughts onto the canvas to create a wonderful result.  What was once blank and boring becomes a thing of beauty.

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, the day when the Church celebrates the giving by God of his Holy Spirit to bring life to his people.  In many ways the day of Pentecost was the birth of the Church.  It is the Spirit who is the source of life and power to the people of God.  In St Paul's second letter to the church on Corinth, he writes, 'we … are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’ In other words, Paul says that a key role of the Holy Spirit is to work in our lives to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ.

The good news of the gospel is that when we turn to God he accepts us just as we are; he offers forgiveness and new life in Christ Jesus.  But that's not the end of the story; as we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives he begins to create something beautiful, as he performs his work of transformation.  Even the most damaged and ugly canvas can become something wonderful.  It could be said to be a life-long work.  I know very well that there's much still to do in my life, but as someone once said, "Be patient, God hasn't finished with me yet!"