First steps

I'm in the 2nd year of School of Excellence. One bonus that comes with being in the second semester of SOE is almost each one of us gets to preach at our Friday morning chapel. So, what does this include? The journey of allowing God to lay on my heart a word for my classmates as well as myself. I was given a word quite a while ago that I feel God wanted me to study out for my sermon. I put it on the shelf for a while and waited. Every time I wondered what I should share, God persisted with the original thought - so, I'm rollin' with it. Why did I title this post first steps? Today, I started the extensive journey, maze, whatever you feel the need to call it, to allow God to develop this word in my heart. In simple terms - STUDY!

Every time I study it reminds me of a race. I'll refer to a 400 race in track since that was my favorite race in high school. The first corner seems to be the hardest. My heart rate goes up and I begin to excersise the art of learning to control my breathing and begin to picture myself in each stage of the race so I can dominate when I come to each point. Sometimes I have the fleeting thought, "Why the crap am I sprinting a whole lap around this track? Am I insane?" But the sight of the end is what forces me to keep striding forward. Every time I start a word study I have no clue what it has in store for me. I have the idea, the feeling of what comes at the end; but, I have to start somewhere and work my way through it. By the first couple of Hebrew definitions I think, "Where is this going? It makes no stinkin' sense." But, the vision of developing a word to give to my classmates that is from God's heart pushes my fingers to keep flipping pages and my heart staying sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

One of my favorite things to do is encourage people. So, if anyone does read this and you are starting a word study, want to start a word study, running a race, or simply living life I encourage you to keep putting one foot in front of the other with God's vision in your eye sight. God has a plan and a vision for your life, which means it breaks down to your every move. He has a plan for the wordy study, the race, the conversation, the job, and etc. Do you believe it though? Do you believe God has a plan for your life, that He cares and loves you that much that He has the best possible plan for you regardless of what you have done in the past or are doing now? Better yet do you believe He gave you the ability to reach the finish line? I can answer those questions for you if you aren't sure. Yes, yes He loves you that much. He sent His only son to die for you. Let me repeat that; knowing you will keep sinning God sent Jesus to die for you. Did you read that all the way? Read it again. He sent Jesus to die for you. God loves you that much. So if God did that then you bet He has a plan for your life and is going to extend His grace, divine assistance, to walk out His plan. Step into His grace and allow Him to be your breath, the muscle that expands your lungs in the 400 race. Let Him show you the direction; most of all, let God love on you.

Well, I didn't quite expect all that to come out of a simple explanation of starting a word study. But, I guess that is what is on my heart. God loves each of us beyond what we can imagine. Walk with that, run with that, live with that thought.

Blank canvas, paint, colors, and finished product.

I haven't painted once since I was a freshman or sophomore in high school. Some quick background information; I used to spend many hours drawing, shading, painting, critiquing my own drawings and sometimes paintings. Most of my paintings were in art class, yet still my own.

Tonight I picked up a paintbrush and attacked a crisp, blank canvas. I have to admit it was quite intimidating at first. How do I make this blank canvas beautiful? Do I have what it takes to create something that is worth putting on my wall? I didn't realize you had to have confidence in yourself to simply put paint on a canvas.

I had a couple of words mixed with a variety of vibrant colors that popped! It was an adventure to say the least. I was amazed that once I made the first stroke the ideas started to flow. No wonder God loves us more than we can imagine. We are His creation. We were once His blank canvas that turned into a literal masterpiece; intricate, colorful, textured, and powerful. I am God's masterpiece.

I am His creation. As I sat there and added colors upon colors I kept thinking, "This is mine." It brings me to God and that I am His. I am unique, like non other. For some reason that thought hasn't left my mind for about a month. God created me, then sent His son out to buy me that I could have eternal life hanging on His wall showing all His glory!

Anyways, those are some thoughts running through my brain. I forgot how fun painting can be. Not a burden...more enjoyable. Fun to see what you come out with and if you like it or not. Try it. Sit down, and paint away. Enjoy!