“Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali 1931

Abstract shapes and distant thoughts,

Engraved within the troubled mind,

Given to hallucination and Freudian thinking,

This man used his beliefs to create,

What is considered a masterpiece.

What if we could turn back time?  What if we could melt all reference to it and start over?  Is that simply an abstract thought, filled with mind bending alteration?  I think not.  We don’t come out of the womb hating or violent.  Those traits need to be learned.

Even though every human being is born with inherited sin, we’re also created with a conscience, which allows us to determine right from wrong.  If we follow the teachings of the Triune God and His Holy Word, the Bible, that won’t make us better individuals.  Only Jesus saves us.  We can’t take credit for any of it.  If we don’t take responsibility for our actions, we are nothing more than an abstract image of humanity.

What if we were given a second chance?  What if we could start from scratch and accept each other as brothers and equals?  This doesn’t mean we have to tolerate evil behavior.  It doesn’t mean we become complacent.  We can’t let the devil run loose in favor of political correctness.  We need to stand firm in our beliefs, without exhibiting malice towards others.

We cannot create a masterpiece out of life.  Only God can do that.  He gave us the second chance we long for, by sending His Son to take our place – to redeem us from the devil, the world and our flesh and give us the inheritance of heaven.  He alone turns back the clock every time we come to Him with repentant hearts.

If we let the world take hold of us, our masterpiece becomes just another piece of ordinary art, without merit, without hope, without love.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans12:2