I've found that kids have an innate way of revealing profound spiritual truths through their behavior.
This past Friday, my church had a festival of sorts for the kids in our JAM programs that we called the JAMboree. There were games, food, races, crafts, prizes, and, of course, fun. I was signed up to help with facepainting for the first shift. Now, the last time I did anything remotely artsy was doodling in study hall my freshman year of high school. Needless to say, I was a bit worried about my skill level. And yes, I was painting the faces of 5 year olds who couldn't even see what I was composing on their face, but I couldn't help it.
Anywho, a little boy named Lucas hopped up on my chair and pointed directly at the sketch of Mario (from Super Mario Bros.) that Tim (our Graphic Designer Big JAM overseer... go figure) had drawn. And, of course, I couldn't talk him out of it. Surprisingly, my steady hand and attention to detail proved invaluable as I proceeded to draw a magnificent rendition of my man Mario. As I continued to paint perfection on Lucas' face, he struggled to maintain his composure and was getting antsy. He kept fidgeting, moving his head around, shifting each way so I was painting in awkward positions. I kept trying to tell him to sit still and be patient, but it was tough. "If he could only see what I can see," I thought to myself. Finally, I dotted both eyes with a really stellar blue paint and declared victory. He was thrilled when he looked at the pane of glass on the door and saw his favorite video game character immortalized (for the next 47 minutes) on his right cheek. Mission accomplished. My tagline: "Just call me Pablo."
Parallelism. Feel free to insert your name where I have put first person pronouns.
As I thought about what had transpired with Lucas Friday, I couldn't help but see the resemblance with what God is trying to do in my life. God is trying to create a masterpiece out of my life. He wants desperately to see the perfection of His Son lived out through me. With each brushstroke, each circumstance, learning opportunity, and manifestation of His grace, He deeply wants to create excellence out of me. The problem is me. I fidget. I turn my face to awkward positions. I don't listen. I smack the brush away. I smear what's already been completed. I'm so incredibly impatient. I'm sure God is frustrated with me and my stubbornness. But I'm also sure that He will never stop painting and creating a masterpiece even though I may get in the way. Our God is the true Master Artist.
Father,
You are the true Master of the Painted Sky. I know You are wanting so badly for me to be exactly who You created me to be. I know that You are molding me and building me and I know that You are faithful to complete that which You began. You will not leave me incomplete. You are creating a masterpiece in me. Father, help me to let go and let You perform this work. I know Your vision for my life is far greater than I could imagine. I struggle with believing it because I can't see the masterpiece you are painting on my face. Help me in my unbelief. Help me to be patient and wait expectantly for You to make me the man you always intended me to be.
Sincerely, Your son and blank canvas.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
You light up the sky
Songs speak to me. They always have and always will. It's almost uncanny how I can memorize lyrics to songs with only a few plays but memorizing scripture is like grinding through scores of specification documents--no matter how many times I read through, I will eventually forget. I find it amusing how most songs that I listen to are simply mimicking scripture; putting it to music sticks it in my brain. Fun fact: I have every word of every song of my 156-song playlist memorized, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
My hands-down absolute favorite song is "Light Up The Sky" by The Afters (why yes, that is the title of this blog! I hope that's not copyright infringement). Not only is the music straight up awesome, but the lyrics hold a special place in my heart and mind:
This song is more than words to me. It's reality. It's a promise. It tells my story. When I've felt alone and abandoned, He has always shed some light to show me the way. When I've doubted His goodness and lost faith, He has always proven Himself.
I have been so blessed; our God has given me direct glimpses of His love--through friends, through situations, through pain, through disappointment, through not understanding why. The purpose of this blog is to share and serve as a witness to those times when God sheds a bit more of His light in my life. And hopefully, just maybe, you'll see a bit more of His light shining, too.
Father God,
You are Good. You know I've struggled in disbelief. You know I've painted ill pictures of You in my mind. You know I've asked why a million times. But the truth remains: You are Good. Even though I strain and twist in the wind, You have never failed me. You always reveal to me what I need when I need it; You always light up the sky to prove Your love to me. And so, I will wait--expectantly. I will wait to see the light of Your purpose revealed. You are Good.
My hands-down absolute favorite song is "Light Up The Sky" by The Afters (why yes, that is the title of this blog! I hope that's not copyright infringement). Not only is the music straight up awesome, but the lyrics hold a special place in my heart and mind:
Light Up The Sky, The Afters
When I’m feeling all alone and so far to go
The signs are nowhere on this road guiding me home
When the night is closing in
It’s falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can’t deny
Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don’t feel them shiningWhen I can’t see beyond my doubt
The silver liningWhen I’ve almost reached the end
Like a flood You’re rushing inLove is rushing in
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can’t deny
Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
So I run straight to Your arms
You’re the bright and morning Sun
To show Your love, there’s nothing You won’t do
Light, light, light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can’t deny
Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
This song is more than words to me. It's reality. It's a promise. It tells my story. When I've felt alone and abandoned, He has always shed some light to show me the way. When I've doubted His goodness and lost faith, He has always proven Himself.
I have been so blessed; our God has given me direct glimpses of His love--through friends, through situations, through pain, through disappointment, through not understanding why. The purpose of this blog is to share and serve as a witness to those times when God sheds a bit more of His light in my life. And hopefully, just maybe, you'll see a bit more of His light shining, too.
Father God,
You are Good. You know I've struggled in disbelief. You know I've painted ill pictures of You in my mind. You know I've asked why a million times. But the truth remains: You are Good. Even though I strain and twist in the wind, You have never failed me. You always reveal to me what I need when I need it; You always light up the sky to prove Your love to me. And so, I will wait--expectantly. I will wait to see the light of Your purpose revealed. You are Good.
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