TMNT Life in the Sewer - Pt 1

In 1983, two struggling artists were sitting around brainstorming and drawing. One of them drew a turtle with a ninja costume. The plot began to unfold, more turtles were added, and in an almost satirical manner, the storyline emerged. Japanese names were originally given to the turtles but that seemed too obvious, so the two artist went with a more ironic path and used famous Renaissance artists. So Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello were born. It stuck and the rest is history. Now we enjoy the heroics of these sewer dwellers.

Leonardo wears blue and is the leader of the four deemed so by their master sensei, Splinter. He is tactical, smart, courageous, always calm, cool, and collected. Wielding 2 long swords, Leonardo is the authoritative, sensible, and responsible character of the four and his ability to see the big picture enables him to make well informed decisions.

Leonardo da Vinci is a different sort of character with the biggest difference being in his humanness. He was the true Renaissance Man, a master of much. He was an painter, sculptor, inventor, scientist, and architect. He loved to learn and was driven to discover. Being so skilled he sometimes had a hard time finishing projects because he was quickly consumed by something else. The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are two of his most famous works.

In his wisdom and intellect he discovered many things. And being an artist and learner he felt that sight is man's most important sense. But he added something that goes beyond sight. "Saper Vedere" (knowing how to see)  was CRUCIAL to living all aspects of life full. This is like the story in Mark 8 when Jesus heals a blind man and when asked what he sees the man replies, "Trees walking around." Then Jesus touches him again and the man not only sees but understands.

In John 5 a man who has been crippled for 38 years lays every day by a pool of healing hoping to get in the pool in order to be healed. Jesus encounters the man and tells him to get up, take his mat and walk. The man obeys but finds ridicule from those who adhere strictly to the Sabbath rules, which states a person cannot carry his mat on the Sabbath.

Jesus has a fantastic response to both of these "lives in the sewer."

To the man healed he tells him that his 38 yrs of disability will be nothing compared to the HELL that will be if his heart does not change.

To the good Christian church going folks he says that do good is more important than following rules.

Both groups need the wisdom of Jesus, echoed in the words of da Vinci, "knowing HOW to see." Jesus, Leonardo da Vinci, and Leonardo the Turtle give the example that we must continually expand our perspective in order to experience the fullest life possible.

What are you seeing? In yourself, in others, in the world?
What does God want you to see?

As life takes you in the sewer...ask God to help you learn how to see!