Ugly, isn't it? Yet, it is beautiful at the same time! So much of life is like that, full of contradictions and irony! This picture doesn't stop there, for the sculpture is made from used tires. This makes it even more interesting because something fresh and very creative is made from material that was discarded and worth practically nothing. I wonder how God looks at those of us whose lives are corrupted by sin... are they nothing? What can be done? Consider Ezekiel chapter 18 for a few minutes and see...
WEB: Ezekiel Chapter 18
[20] The soul who sins, he shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him. [21] But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. [22] None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live. [23] Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live? [24] But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die. [25] Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal? [26] When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies therein; in his iniquity that he has done shall he die. [27] Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. [28] Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. [29] Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” House of Israel, aren’t my ways fair? Aren’t your ways unfair? [30] Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live.
Sin is death. Sin is a turning away from God; it is a CHOICE!!! Not a disease as modern society would tell us; not an environmental conditioning, it is a CHOICE!!! If we turn to God and CHANGE, God will forgive; but we must CHANGE!!! God will help us turn the refuse of our lives into something beautiful, just like the artist did with the old tires that make up this sculpture but WE have to change our heart and leave the rest to God. Don't waste one more minute doing things your own way; listen and change!!! Who knows what God will sculpt from your life?