On the last morning of his life, renown impressionist painter Pierre Renoir said, "I think I'm beginning to know something about painting." In his seventy-eight years, Renoir (1841-1919) created more than four thousand finished works. Among them are some of the most gorgeous creations ever seen.
In his final hours, instead of crowing about his astounding artistic accomplishments, Renoir recognized that he was still "a beginner." In his humility, he always knew that his best work had not come from him, but through him.
All who of us who struggle to help others through caring or through creating enter an intimate mystery. If we persist in our quest and never give up (except to God), we will gain glimpses of Love.
At the beginning of our lives, we enter our own personal mystery. Along the way, each of us is invited to travel deeper into this mystery. Many turn down their invitation very early. The most successful among us, particularly saints, healers, and other exceptional performers (along with millions we have never heard of) have experienced many sacred encounters.
Like explorers, the best of us have gone on a hard and dangerous journey into unchartered lands. Upon returning, these "explorers" try, through art, literature, song or science, to describe to us what they have "found." The great scientists or inventors create theories or show us discoveries that may change the world.
We need to celebrate these great gifts as coming from the holy, not from the person.
Why are Renoir's paintings (like the nude, above) considered so exceptional? Renoir himself said that great art is "inimitable and indescribable."
No wonder words fail us. How can even the most eloquent among us describe the peaks of our climactic passion or the shattering darkness of our pain?
The sacred is a spiritual encounter, not an analytical thought. If we sustain our curiosity and keep trying, as do the finest artists and scientists, the door will crack open for some ecstatic moments.
The strangest part of the adventure into sacred mystery is the paradoxical balance. We are required to engage both hard work and complete surrender. If "success" comes through hard work, why, we ask, are supposed to "surrender?"
Loving caregivers know the answer. They know Love comes when we combine skilled effort with compassion, knowing all along that this prepares the pathway for God's healing grace.
The world calls us to work. When our work is informed by God, it becomes transcendent, whether or not the world notices.
There is no "trick" to finding God. We all know, or at least sense, our role. When we answer our calling to be caregivers, we begin to align our energy with God's Love.
As we work to fulfill our calling, we are already living this Love. Love is always waiting to enter our hearts. But, it can only come through the door of humility.
Failure comes exclusively to those who give up, closing their hearts to God. None of us can truly succeed without engaging Love's energy.
Age and an agonizing case of arthritis did not cause Renoir to quit living his life's invitation. Instead, he had his paint brushes bound to his hands so he could continue to express the creative energy that ran through him.
Renoir's hard work and humility enabled him to paint Love's truth during his career. He saw this truth again with particular clarity on the last day of his life.
-Rev. Erie Chapman
Journal of Sacred Work 
Leave a comment