What's Mine is Ours

In painting, an artist can do his best to re-create the beauty of a landscape, or the essence of a powerful moment. In sculpting, one can do his best to capture the realness of life, and the strength of emotion. Neither case, however can truly give an accurate representation of his subject. A painting does not capture the strength of a flowing stream, or the power of a blowing wind. He can not make the viewer feel the dew from the air on a cool winter morning. There are some things which are incredibly impossible to replicate. I have seen beautiful paintings, wonderful sculptures and breathtaking architecture, but the beauty of a sunset or the power and raw emotion of a thunderstorm still amaze me far more than anything an artist can represent.

Masterpieces are all possessed by someone. They are held in care and in trust by those who have proven their incredible thankfulness for the beauty of its creation. I have never owned such things as priceless paintings or ancient sculptures, but I would never dream of taking their existence for granted so much as to destroy one. While some may own art, or be trusted with its keeping, it is in fact a shared asset. I have never owned the land on which the Parthenon sits, or hung the Mona Lisa on my wall, but the majesty and the beauty of them still capture me so as to have given me some sense of ownership in their existence.

This sense of responsibility does not transfer to other things, or carry over into all aspects of life. Were a friend to loan me his sunglasses, I would not be so concerned with returning them without wear and tear or without scratches. These are things that happen. Things fade in time, they accrue damage with use, and eventually must be replaced simply out of functional necessity. Not so with art, not so with architecture; they are valuable because of their ability to withstand the test of time and changing cultural taste. While some may possess such things, it is the responsibility of us all to care enough to allow them to be preserved.

Again, I can claim no ownership of any plot of land. Were I to hold the deed to 1000 acres in the American Northwest, I would still no more possess the land than I do now. Our world is a masterpiece, a priceless work of art which belongs to us all, and has been entrusted into our care by its creator. We can feel the helplessness when winds blow so strong that they damage even our strongest structures. We can see the raw emotion of a fire as it wipes clean the slate of nature, creating an opportunity for new life and new creation. We get to wake up each morning to the pricelessness of light riding in through the sunrise, relishing in the hopes that a new day brings. Sequentially, we see the majesty of the same light descending over the opposite sky, allowing us to breathe in the cool evening air and reflecting on the experiences of life. The artist has seen fit to allow us to enjoy the beauty of Him and His creation, even though it all belongs to him. It all has been entrusted in our care, and it is our responsibility not only to preserve it, but to enjoy it. Our enjoyment, and recognition in each day as a gift is how we most sincerely thank our Creator for the beauty of His Salvation. You see, we own nothing, but we own it all. What's Mine is Ours!

Be Thankful.