Joy, joy, joy, joy...down in my heart

Psalm 119:32 "I have run in the path of your commands and you have set my heart free."

As of late, I've been thinking a lot about my testimony or simply God's work in my life over the past 21+ years. I'm amazed by His gracious Spirit at work in my life when I realize the different paths that He protected me from as I grew up and made different choices. As I painted this for Hannah and Greg (based on Isaiah 55 and Pablo Naruda's poem "Your Laughter"), I became more and more thankful for the joy that is found in Jesus Christ and none other. My favorite part of Isaiah 55 says this "...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

This post is a short one, but if you're reading this I pray that the Spirit will urge you to dig deeper into a relationship with our King that He may produce beauty, joy, and peace in your life. Making fruit that will last and inspire others to pursue Him, too.

Thanks to Greg and Hannah, whose joy in life and each other has been an instrument of the Holy Spirit to teach me.

PS Anyone, wanting updates from my AIA trip email me at kneth@nwciowa.edu