Grafted in

This summer I have been invited to many, many weddings. This turned into a source of inspiration to bring out a part of me that isn't always very evident in my life. I decided to make something for gifts instead of buying something (cheaper, more meaniful, and lots of fun). So after seeing a my friend Emily's graduation gift, I started on my own version of a collage/painting. The picture on the right is one that I made for Andrew and Halee Stimson, both of which I met at NWC. They both traveled to Israel last summer and I just want to share with you the message that God was teaching me about as I was making this and prayerfully meditating.

John 15 talks about the vine and the branches. Christ is the true vine and God is the gardener. We must remain in Him to bear fruit.

As you can see there's a lot going on in this painting and I see it being similar to our lives. We have good and bad things swirling around us and cluttering our lives. Often we look to these instead of what will really bring us true joy and fulfillment.

When you look at the painting you can see some pretty things, some not so pretty things around the center focal point. This shows how in order to bear fruit that lasts we must remain grafted in Christ, the true vine, and His unlimited grace given to us on the cross. When we are abiding in this ultimate grace we find our definition of love being redefined by the true love of our Lord that is both unconditional and undeserved.

Lord Heavenly Father,

I pray that your Spirit fills and renews all who read this post and glance at my rediculously inadequate attempt to be like you, the true creator. I pray that you give them eyes to see your word come alive in their life. I pray that you give them strength to pursue loving you and others with even more zeal. Ultimately, I pray that you continue to refine them as you cover them in your unconditional grace. Thank you for the gift of your son.

Amen

Thank you Andrew and Halee for boldly proclaiming this message as you were united in marriage as a vessel for our King.