OUR NEW IDENTITY By Jonathan Hunter, Excerpted from ELS Guidebook The figure in the four panels is a minute portion of one of the greatest works of art ever created-Michelangelo's fresco found on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. After centuries of pollution, poor attempts at preservation, and damp weather, the beauty of the masterpiece had become damaged and obscured (notice panel one). To undertake its restoration, many craftspersons were solicited for advice. After viewing the first exposed sections, the experts were at odds as to whether they should or could undertake the entire project. Some critics resisted the uncovering, convinced Michelangelo would never ever have painted with such a bright palette. Their arguments for leaving the fresco alone were based more on their imagined notion of the artist's style than any written records left by Michelangelo himself. They reasoned that the public would take their side of the debate and disdain the bright colors, too. Thankfully, the naysayers lost out. The fresco today is totally restored to its original glorious state. Like that great work of art, the Lord wants those created in His image to be restored to true brilliance (His original intent). He is continually in the process of cleansing away dirt, removing debris and repairing the damage done to us by sin and worldly abuse. Encrusted layers of spiritual and emotional grime have accumulated from years of neglect and lack of resources. Our Creator can see to our core, the true self laboring beneath the muck and mire of godlessness, aching to be released. And, as C.S. Lewis said, God won't be satisfied until we resemble his Son, aglow with His restoration. Panel one represents the start of our souls' restoration. The layers of grime are removed with tender care rather than with harsh abrasives. Progress is made layer by layer. Colors and forms subtly emerge in the second panel, although cleansing is by no means finished. While the fresco restoration could have ceased at this point (the same could be said in our own healing), the possibilities for even greater discoveries compelled the restorers to go further. Can we not imagine ourselves in that same place as we allow our brothers and sisters to go deeper with us in healing prayer? Panel three represents the self fully engaged in restoration, yet perhaps feeling at odds with the process-red and raw from the exposure of old wounds. Finally, we emerge (see the last panel). Our scars are visible, but we are a beautiful sight to behold! The final outcome produces a defined figure that could be likened to the boundaries of our newly discovered, true self, clear and distinct. (This is a relief from the blurredness and confusion of the wounded, false self.) Just as those figures on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, we image-bearers shine forth in ever-increasing brilliance our Creator's original intent. Thus we become "... a light shining in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19), the unobscured love of God now gloriously visible to the world. As the Lord reveals the beauty of our true selves in union with Him, He gives us the choice: Will you stop here and go no further in your restoration, or will you press on for the prize of completion? Michelangelo's painting could not call out to the restorers, "Keep going! Don't stop now!" But we can. Turning to our Creator, our Father, and asking Him to continue the work He has begun in us is the privilege He reserves for those He calls by His name. | 
Embracing Life Journal
