painting

so friday night i had no plans set and i decided that it was the perfect opportunity to have a chill "introvert" night. i am not an introvert, so these kinds of nights are rare, but when they do happen i tend to enjoy them.

as i thought about what to do that night, i had the grand idea to get my paints out and be creative. i love to paint, but with traveling being such a big part of my life these past two years, i have hardly had the time to pick up a paint brush,

there was something freeing in painting that night. i wasn't painting a picture for anyone or doing a project, i was simply just painting for the fun of creating something.

fast-forward to this morning. monday morning is my favorite day to go to work, because every monday morning we have staff worship. i love this time with the Lord.

as i was worshiping and talking to Jesus this morning, we were singing a song about how he loved us first. this had me thinking about him designing us. i had a thought come to mind. what if Jesus designs us in the same way that i design my paintings? what if every stroke that he makes has purpose and every color is chosen with care? what if he takes the time and energy to mix the exact combination of colors to get that perfect tone? what if every single part of his painting is intentionally created?

the crazy thing is, we were created in this way. not just our appearance, but everything that makes us who we are. the quirks and weird things, the sometimes embarrassing things, the things that make us unique and special. he created all of us, every single part of us.

he created us with purpose and carefully chose what would make us who we are, he took time and energy to find that perfect combination of personality and character. every single part of us was intentionally created.

his love for us inspired the way he made us and i am confident that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made"(psalm 139:14). we can be assured that he didn't just throw some paint on a canvas. he carefully, lovingly designed us. he paid far too high a price for anything less than a masterpiece.

new season. new blog.

this new season is a crazy one. i moved to a new place. i started a new job. i made new friends. and i am ready and excited for this new chapter of my life.

it is a scary chapter. just over a year ago i prayed a prayer that is still being answered today. i asked Jesus to scare me. i asked him to take me places that were beyond myself and here i am.

in this new job that i have, i mentor 54 missionaries that are on an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries (the world race). i get to go out and see them 4 times during the year.

i just got home from my first visit out on the field. i had an amazing week with them in nepal. as i was out there with them, i realized the weight of what i am doing, of what we are doing.

i realized that we are BUILDING A KINGDOM. this is a big deal

Jesus Christ, the God of the universe ended his ministry here on earth by telling us to go and make disciples of all nations and here we are still doing it over 2000 years later. wow.

it is easy to get caught up in the details and in the "to do" lists, but we have to remember to step back and take JOY IN THE JOURNEY. we need to celebrate the many victories that have been won to get to this point.

a kingdom is being built and we get to take part, this is no small thing.