Let Me Show You How To

   We’ve been living in Craiova, Romania for 3 weeks now and everyday God shows me his goodness. I am an artist. I’ve loved painting for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I was taught that I am God’s masterpiece, and that he created me anew in Christ Jesus to do the works he had planned for me long ago (Ephesians 2:10). I was excited to know that he created with a passion for painting, and he would use that gift to glorify his kingdom. As I got older, I moved homes a lot. I said hello to a lot of new friends and goodbye to them as well. The continuous goodbyes left me feeling alone. By the end of senior year of high school I took my first art class, and at that point I felt furthest from both people and God. I felt so far gone, that my distant relationship with God was the best that I was going to be and it hurt. I felt so broken, and I poured that into my artwork. I used my artwork and my ability to glorify myself. I showed off what I was able to do when I was alone, when in reality God never left my side. This was the last big oil painting I did before the race.

   I had a break from oil painting for the past 6 months of the race as God was showing me his love and his closeness. When we got to Romania I found oil paint again! Not only did I find oil paint, but I found inspiration. In a conversation, the person who I was talking to described a time in their life when they saw and felt the Holy Spirit. As they explained it, I saw the picture and was filled with excitement for the upcoming painting.

   The following week I went to Dragonesti and as the group of us were walking through a field I saw scenery that looked like my first paintings. I would turn a corner and be and be able to say that I’ve painted it before. God showed me my first paintings and was kindly saying, “let me show you how to do it this time.”

   Throughout this current painting God has been able to teach me how to incorporate him in every single part of the process. I’ve been praying in every stage and having the opportunity to ask him how he wants it painted. Not only has God shown up in the painting process, but he’s shown up through art every day. The people that I meet are involved in the art world and I get to explain how God likes to show me how to paint! God is the perfect artist and has blessed me with so many opportunities to be like him.