A WORD FOR TODAY, February 12, 2026
Peggy Hoppes
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Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, February 12, 2026
“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” John 16:25-28, WEB
I love to paint. Art was a minor in college, but I’m mostly self-taught. I enjoy going to museums and seeing the work of other artists. I had a friend who was really good at copying paintings of the old masters almost perfectly, but that’s not my style. I have tried to copy the techniques of some artists, especially the impressionists, but I can’t seem to have the same effect. I like the stippling effect of some of them. Stippling is drawing or painting in small dots or strokes.
I think I can tell from photos what the artist was trying to do, but it is always better to look at the original. I was working on one painting and knew exactly what I wanted the paint to do, but when I sat at the canvas, the peaceful painting I imagine in my head is bunch of confusing blobs of paint. Then one day I went to an art exhibit and saw the painting of one of the old masters that had a similar look as what I pictured in my head. I carefully studied the painting, looking at the texture as well as the color, and I saw what I was doing wrong. I could not see how that texture affected the color, shadows, and light in a print, but seeing it in person made a huge difference in my understanding.
See, looking closely at a painting helps me understand the brushstrokes and how the artists mix color. Sometimes I think the technique is stippling, but up close I can tell there are subtle differences in the brushstrokes which make the effect I intend. I also see how the artist uses negative space in a way that adds depth. When I was in college, my teachers often had to remind me that I do not need to cover every inch of a canvas with thick layers of paint. This often leads to overworking the paint, creating a muddy mess. It is a habit I still have. I did it that way because it was how I perceived their work from pictures. It wasn’t until I saw the real thing that I realized I was doing it all wrong. After all these years, I am beginning to see my work from a different perspective, and I have been trying to think beyond the surface as is seen in photos, and work to create effects in the ways the old masters used.
Before Jesus, the people had to go to priests in the temple to communicate with God. Jesus Christ came in flesh and blood so that He would know what it is like to be human. While He was among the disciples, they came to Him for instruction about the Kingdom of God. Then He died on the cross so that we would be forgiven and able to approach God on our own.
No matter how hard they tried, my teachers could not give me what I needed when it came to my art; I needed to see an example to believe what they said. I confess that I gave up working on some paintings because I was frustrated by my inability to copy those techniques, but I am learning to use the paint and tools in a way that matches my intent rather than trying to copy someone else’s. Sometimes we try to rely on our impressions of others and how they live their lives of faith, copying them by our interpretation of their lives but never quite being able to do what they do.
However, it is always best to go back to the source, to the artist, to see what how Jesus Christ made it possible for us to live as God gifted and called us each to live, to know His love and seek His intention for our lives. We are the church together, but we are also individuals with unique gifts and opportunities to serve God and our neighbors. It is good for us to encourage one another in our lives of faith, but ultimately our life is best lived when we copy the true Master.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276.