So I haven't picked up a paintbrush in well over a year. Well, probably more like two if I really think about it but this weekend I got to paint again. You see, after I decided to step into ministry last year I wasn't sure how my gift of artmaking would take shape. I've never actually used these skills in a ministry sense... but I got to this Friday. It was my debut. I painted during the Good Friday service while my pastor and friend, Joel Nikkel, read aloud a passage from Isaiah 53.
Before I stepped on stage I was filled with nervous excitement. I was so revved to worship God in this way and to have the audience be blessed too. But I have to admit that this whole painting in church bit was amusing, in an ironic sort of way, because I can remember telling my family that I never wanted to paint pictures of Jesus when they'd try and get me to make art about God.
Now that is the only kind of work I can think about doing, artwork that worships God somehow. I guess my heart really did change because what is coming out of it is so much sweeter. I think God must have a fantastic sense of humor.
And on a similar note I remember coming home, at the age of six, weeping to my mother that I didn't want to be a missionary because God would send me to Africa. We had had a missionary visit our school and I was so moved by her story and felt like God was inviting me to something bigger, I remember that event so specifically because I brooded about it all day until I came home and vented. Ha!
Now I am a kind of missionary and will, most likely, be making trips to Africa.There is nothing I'd rather be doing than walking with God. There is no better thing than to live a life of worship... smelling the incense of His presence every day. It's funny to forge paths that I had been so sure were "not me," boy was I dead wrong.
This is just a sketchbook drawing of the picture I painted. It is to be a two part image, one was painted on Good Friday and the other will be painted on Easter Sunday. I only have ten minutes to paint each picture which is actually a fun challenge. They will both be quite large, long side about four feet, and together make up one image. The first one is remembering Jesus' crucifixion and the second is praising His victory over death and sin. I will try to express the hope, life, freedom, and blessing that comes from accepting Jesus' gift. Life out of death. Did I already mention I'm excited to do this? I'll post a photo of the completed set once it's done.
I can't wait to report to campus! Above picture is of Sherri, moi, Mel, and Gretchen. Sherri was campus staff and is moving to Vancouver to work in head office. Mel will be training me in campus ministry (crackin' the whip and shaping me up) and Gretchen's husband, Chris, is campus staff as well. Gretchen works with Campus Crusade too, just not in the campus ministry - she's brilliant in web design. She's also a fantastic artist.
I recently went to a visioning day for the student leaders for this upcoming year, it was awesome. We have over forty student leaders coming into the September semester! I'm pumped. We currently don't have a presence in the international residence and I'm so looking forward to doing some outreaches there this year.
And speaking of international I went to Value Village and got my first green Salwar Kakmeeze... I couldn't resist. Now I can have really over the top curry parties, I'm serious. Anyone want to come over for Naan? There is an open invitation.
