Be the Light.
Be the Light. / Matthew 5:14
My life is not always roses. It has its bumps, hills, valleys, mountains, thorns, and roses. How I choose to see my life, is how it will be. The Light in Art was not created to only show the flowers, but to show that life is messy just as art can be. God is OK with messy. He frees you to be the mess you are and just when I realized that, my life changed dramatically. He loved my messiness + my brokenness. My choice to accept that was exactly why I could be the light of Jesus. How? Just keep reading.
Being the light is exactly why and how The Light in Art was created. This message from the verse Matthew 5:14 will forever hold a special place in my heart because it was just the beginning of the journey God called me upon, but it was never meant to be easy. The question that always puzzled me was, "God, why me? I go through hard times and cannot always be the light, so why me?" Much like everyone else, I fail at being intentional, always being kind + patient, always being well, Christ-like. Soon I learned that,
God does not call the equipped; he equips the called.
I knew that I was called to step out, but the security and comfort that came with my normal life seemed so much safer. I just did not know if I was ready to take on such a big role, but with lots of help, encouragement, and prayers from friends, family, and God the Light in Art was created. The Light in Art symbolizes the light that you can find in any of God's masterpieces or art. Jeremiah 29:13 states, "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart." When you look around, what do you see? A bed, a tree, maybe a few pictures? Now look again, a bed that someone crafted with the hands God created, a tree at which releases oxygen for us to breathe, or the beautiful people God surrounded you with in that picture. That is what I wanted the The Light in Art to symbolize-- choosing to turn your perspective from your own eyes to the way God sees life and to be the light.
God is using YOU + ME to be the light no matter how scary or vulnerable it can be. Just like when Jesus called Peter out into the water. Peter went very vulnerably and scared, but Jesus was faithful even when Peter began to doubt. Jesus took care of him. He will take care of you as you begin to be the light.
1 Peter 4:10 says, "Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve other, as good managers of the varied grace of God." You were called to be the light with whatever gift you received. Y O U bring a special something to the table that no one else can and that is what is amazing about the body of Christ. We might be the arm, or the leg of the body of Christ BUT are ALL useful. So are you ready?
To step out. (even if it is too scary or too vulnerable)
To be the light. (even in the hard times)
To trust that Jesus will take care of you. (even though your life is messy)
Let's begin to be the light together.
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Dear God,
Although stepping out and being a light is scary and very vulnerable, I pray you give me courage and strength to do this FOR YOU. I pray you help me discover the talents you have placed within me to share with others. I will try to live a Christ-like life in the midst of all the world's distractions, but thank you in advance for forgiving me when I fail. I will try to read more of you this week and be in the light, so I can be a better light to others. Thank you for all you do for me and for loving my messy + broken self. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
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If this spoke to you, I would love to know. Contact me on instagram @thelightinart. Link is in the top left corner when you hit the instagram button. Thank you again for reading. More stuff coming soon! #thelightinart