I like cleaning paint brushes. Many people barely tolerate the task, but I enjoy it. Let me tell you why.
Paint brushes are used for creative work. Some times more creative; other times more work. Either way work is done and something is created.
Cleaning paint brushes used to be the worst part of painting until I realized that tools must be maintained in order to be useful.
I am a tool of God. I need to be maintained in order to be useful.
For a paint brush, all the old paint must be removed and the brush washed clean in order for it to be available for work. For me, all the old shame, doubt, and pain must be removed and my heart and mind washed clean in order for me to be available and willing to work.
Many times as I clean paint brushes (which has been quite often recently) I think about and pray for the work being done in the painting and in me.
I only pray for the end when I have to clean rollers. Rollers have no great significance to me right now other than being a test of patience, commitment, and perseverence. 🙂
I ponder what new creative work this brush will be used for. I pray for an obvious sense of purpose and God’s work during the painting project. I wonder what I will be used to create next and then hand it over to God.
I like cleaning paint brushes. Each time I am reminded of the cleaning God is doing in me in order to make me a more useful tool in His kingdom.
