No fear in love

Fear can take many forms and can go relatively unnoticed in society today.

Yet fear is a chain to freedom. One way fear hinders our life is in the way it destroys love. As I've seen with Lily, A child loves her parents without reason. When a young child hears her parents voice there is an instant desire to just be near and affectionate towards her mom or dad. Untainted, unconditional love. 

As we get older, our sinful nature can turn the art of love into a science or formula. Love is more calculated rather than just a response from a pure heart. 

As I'm writing this, I'm sitting outside the cabin we are staying in Minnesota. My soul is soaking in the colorful leaves, the warmth of the sun, and the rhythm of the waves on the dock. I can tangibly see how the very purpose of creation is to glorify God by fearlessly proclaiming His love song back to Him. Trees have no fear of when they will receive their basic needs nor do they withhold their branches from the bird that wishes to perch, make it's nest, and sing melody to the Lord. Trees receive and give freely, just like the flowers of the field and the heat of the sun... All created by God, for God's glory.

Mankind's story, from the very beginning, has been seeking to be back in right relationship with God. Jesus' love, benevolent and fearless, shows us what true love looks like. True love is missional, it is not okay with things as they are, it seeks to cast out all fear by perfecting in love. 

To know God is to know love... For God is love. We cannot know selfless love without knowing God.

What do we find when there is an absence of love. Contrary to what many may believe, it is actually not hate. Hate requires some sort of feeling towards another, even though it may be befit ive. No... The opposite of love is to see a person in need and not do anything about it... Apathy. Apathy finds its fuel in fear and avoidance. Not knowing how to change something or ignoring an issue all together will not change the situation. 

God's heart is for the poor and He has compassion for His lost sheep. I'm compelled today to be love as God has given us an example in Jesus. God will you show me how, by your Spirit in me? How will they ever know of the benevolent, self-sacrificing, generous love I've experienced without me testifying of it? I am reminded once again of the reason Matt and I have been "uprooted". By faith we believe that our purpose, like a tree, is to trust God in all things just as the tree is sustained by the soil, the sun and the rain. It is out of that trust, that deep knowledge of God, that we have love to give. 

So we will give of our branches, look for God to do simple things and extraordinary things. We are planted and uprooted for the purpose of making His name and glory known. 

Nothing More Truly Artistic

I recently stated dabbling in a little bit of drawing and painting. My inspiration was a trip to Barnes and Noble and an in-store read of Anyone Can Draw. I've never had a great affinity for art but I do desire to take my elementary understanding and develop it. Much of my skills came from my elementary years with Mr. Beranek in the "art house" just out the lunchroom doors.

As a result of this new endeavor, I've started to see the complexity and form of objects around me. My eyes take in figures, textures, and dimensions and it has been a challenge to portray what my eye sees or what has been inspired in my heart.

There is something really special about an artist's creation. I remember in Mr. Beranek's class, everyone looked at the same thing, but how each person portrayed that object was different. It each artist's point of view in how he sees the world; his interpretation of beauty. I marvel knowing that we too are the masterpiece of our heavenly Father. He saw fit to form every detail, nuance, and quirk of each individual. From the seascape to the geckos in our front yard, the world is full of things that leave us in awe.

"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people" - Vincent Van Gogh

I can see how, from the beginning, God was creating a tapestry of love. From the time of Abraham and his Son of Promise, to the birth of Jesus, our Son of Promise. This new outlook gives me a new appreciation and excitement when I read the bible. God has spoken with great intention and purpose to unfold beautiful picture of God's love for His people. Yet we still can not begin to understand the depth, height and breadth of this love. 

Truly loving another person is a struggle at times-- at times it means to let go, let the artworks shape take form as the person grows and understands love at it's purest form. Love goes beyond what is nessecary and takes it to a whole new level of self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and honor. Just as our example of art is in our creator, our example of love is found in our Savior Jesus. 

Discipleship is walking in His example of love and inviting/teaching others to do the same.