The Dream became a nightmare

Steve Wynn, multi-billionaire owner of Wynn Hotels, is an art lover.  As a boy, he fell in love with a Picasso painting called the Dream and vowed to own it someday.  He bought that painting for 50 million dollars. 

Wynn cherished this painting and toured it at Events and Gala’s.  After 5 years of ownership, the painting was sold for 139 million to another art lover.  While on stage, hosting one last event (before sending the paining to New York), Wynn lost his balance and his elbow literally crashed through the center of the painting.

Of course, Wynn released the buyer from their agreement and immediately contracted the services of the world’s leading restoration expert.  The restoration took 1 full year, and it was FLAWLESS.  From the front of the painting, there were no apparent signs of the damage.  However, if you turned the painting over and looked closely at the backside, the scarring was faint but still visible. The previous investor, realizing the trauma, and what the painting had endured, concluded the restoration had actually increased the paintings value.  The painting re-sold for 180 million.  

GOD is also in the restoration business. In the book of Job, we see that GOD’s servant, through attacks from the enemy, lost his health, his family, his friends, and his finances. Just like that painting, over time, through consistent faith, he was restored. When GOD gets involved in the restoration, your value begins to skyrocket. When GOD restored Job, he got his health back, a new family, his friends were forced by GOD to bring him gifts and his finances DOUBLED.

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Some versions even say to have it abundantly.

A full and meaningful life is filled with mistakes. You may be like me.  I’ve made financial mistakes, business mistakes, social mistakes, moral and ethical mistakes.  My scars are plentiful. I thank the LORD for his grace and mercy. I thank him for the GODLY people who also poured themselves into my RESTORATION. You too, may have been through the fire.  Through our RESTORATION we are REFINED not DEFINED. Our scars are stark reminders of the struggle. GOD’s RESTORATION is flawless and significantly increases our worth.

Y’all have a great day and GOD bless you.