A Portrait of Peace
Many years ago, an Emperor of China spent much of his life in the pursuit of personal peace. He studied the philosophers, and listened to many wise teachers. He decided that to enhance the environment in his private chambers, he needed a painting of peace.
He sent out a call for a competition among all the artists in the land to produce such a painting, to be judged by his wisest teachers, and, if a suitable representation was found, to be rewarded handsomely. many beautiful works were submitted and judged, Many were rejected.
Finally the judges told the emperor that they felt they had a worthy candidate, and invited him to see for himself.
The emperor entered the hall with hundreds of submissions, and as he strode past the rejected candidates toward the proposed "winner", something caught his eye.
To one side of the great hall, among many serene, pastoral scenes of beauty and rest. hung something odd.
It was a painting of great skill like the others, but very different; instead of sunny fields,or calm children's faces, or placid pools, this painting portrayed a turbulent waterfall, the cataracts of which tumbled in toruous fashion over high, jagged cliffs.
There was a dark, wind-blown scene at the top of the cliffs, and the sky was ominous, full of black clouds. Lightning was striking nearby, and the trees in the scene were ripped by winds.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked the emperor."did the artist not understand the task?"
No one had an answer.
"Bring me this artist," said the emperor , "that I may question him."
The artist was sought and led forth.
"Tell me;" said the ruler,"the meaning of this work.Did you not understand that I wished a painting of perfect peace?"
"Yes, your highness," responded the elderly painter. "I fully understood your royal request.Perhaps if your majesty were to look a little closer at the waterfall, my message would be clearer."
The emperor did so. At first he saw nothing. Suddenly a small detail caught his eye. In the midst of the waterfall, about halfway up, was a very small tree; a branch, really, which had somehow found purchase on a small crop of rock in the center of the tumult. In that wind-blown branch was a nest, and sitting in the nest,apparently singing freely, was a nightingale.
"Perfect peace, your highness, said the man," does not require a sunny day"
The painting was hung in the emperor's chambers, and the artist was rewarded not only with silver, but with a place among the emperor's wisest sages.
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Jesus has said: " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)
God's peace in all your "troubled waters"...Jim
Note: Aug.18...Apologies for the lack of capitalization some of you may have noticed...The system I typed this up on had a neat "all caps" font, which I discovered does not show up for everyone...I've edited the text appropriately....Jim
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