Messes To Masterpieces

Fingerprint: (noun), an impression or mark made on a surface by a person’s fingertip, especially as used for identifying individuals from the unique pattern of whorls and lines. A distinctive identifying characteristic, the impression of a fingertip on any surface. (Merriam-Webster)

Forensics play a critical role in a criminal investigation and is instrumental in solving a crime. A fingerprint or fingerprints is one of the most highly sought after forms of physical evidence. Why? Because it can uniquely identify someone. Having a record of someone’s fingerprint is proof of an individual’s physical presence.

On a more light-hearted note, fingerprint smudges are the bane and drudgery of the home dweller. Especially those of the neat and tidy sort with little children who know inevitably that greasy, smudgy fingerprints will soon grace a freshly cleaned window or glass sliding door. They are unsightly and the first reaction is to get out a cloth and window cleaner to wipe them away.

However, there are some places where fingerprints show up where we might want to reconsider having them immediately erased. Let’s explain.

God’s Fingerprints

God is a Creator of uniqueness and diversity. Our unique set of fingerprints are one way God intended to show that each of us are specially crafted and designed creations. Our fingerprints are evidence of that.

The obverse is also true. God is uniquely God. There is no one else like Him. God has His own set of fingerprints:

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:5-6

For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. Isaiah 45:18

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2:27

The phrase “I (am) the Lord” occurs 163 times in the King James Version of the Old Testament. The Lord is not and will never suffer an identity crisis. God knows who He is. And the Lord is adamant that others would even dare to look and replace Him with an imposter.

Window Panes of the Heart

Charity never faileth: … I Corinthians 13:8

God’s love never fails. The only way God’s love can fail is if we walk way from it. The only way. Jesus will do all that he can to probe, prod and provoke us to win our hearts over.

And Jesus desires to have all of our heart. Eighty percent, ninety percent and not even ninety-eight percent is acceptable with God:

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

Whether we realize it or not, our hearts embody a reflective surface. This surface is a mirror or window of sorts:

As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. Proverbs 27:19

And if we will look closely enough we might see some fingerprints plastered on the window panes of our heart. These unique, distinctive and truth-bearing marks are evidence of God’s presence attempting to get our attention. He is looking, seeking and searching to find hearts that will accommodate His presence:

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27

Will we brush it off and take out our little bottle of spiritual Windex to wipe those marks of love away?

The bumper sticker stated the words best:

Life Is Precious

Life is precious. Each moment, each heartbeat, every day is a gift from God. You are His special treasure. Will you wipe all evidence of His wooing away? The choice is ours to make.

Those fingerprints on the window panes of your heart very well may be from Someone who is peering in to see its contents. What will He find in there? Don’t wipe them away. For they are fingerprints of true love:

And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 24:7