Deeper...

 

I recently attended the If:Gathering at my church. This two-day women's conference is an annual event that explores our faith through a series of Christian speakers.  The theme this year was "If the worst happens; we won't lose faith" 

The simulcast speakers were motivational, inspirational, and I left the conference feeling refilled, re-invigorated and inspired. In particular, Pastor Mike Todd had a half hour segment on going deeper in our Christianity, and it really spoke to me. His energy, comedic engagement, and shift to seriousness really drew me in. 

The overview of his message is basically that we think we are safe in the "shallows" of our faith. Sadly, God can't do what he wants to do with us there, we need to go out deeper in the water. Many of us are afraid to go out deeper, because we can't see the bottom or are worried about what might lurk in the deep water. He is calling us out in to the deep water, though... out of our "kiddie pool" Christianity.

In the deep water, God has given us an anchor for our faith.  

In the deep, He can work with us, and we can hold on to the he steadfast hope that is Jesus.

Not only can we hold on to the anchor (that is useless in the shallows!) but we ourselves can become anchors for those around us as we lead them out in to the deep.

I was reminded during his sermon about our town beach at the local lake. 

There is diving dock where the water is 25 feet deep.  My children like to swim out to it and do cannonball jumps. They have asked me to swim out there with them many times, but I am literally afraid to swim out over my head because I cannot see the bottom of the lake.  It was as if Mike Todd was speaking directly to me.

Last summer, I swam out to the dock.  I was terrified.  I had to psych myself up and pray to God to give me the courage and be with me so that I wouldn't chicken out and turn around, but I did it. This sermon was practically screaming at me... it is time to dig deeper into my faith.
Explore my ministry. Look for my purpose. Be more public. 

It bears saying that I have a praise report, too.

I've been struggling with an eye condition for three years and on the first day of the conference, I finally found a medication that brought instant relief and I could see with perfect clarify for the first time in a long time!

I started hearing/feeling the Spirit prompting me to draw an anchor. 

(I haven't done any art in so long because I spent the last year obtaining my Master's degree.) 

I began a sort of conversation with God in my head....

Me:  Oh!  I hear you telling me that I need to draw an anchor!

God:  You haven't drawn in so long.  It's good to draw again, yes.  An anchor... but think bigger.

Me: A whole underwater lake scene maybe?  With seaweed and fish.  Maybe sunfish like at the lake.

God:  Nope.   Bigger.

Me:  But, the story.  It fits me so perfectly

God:  It's not about you.  It's bigger than you.  Think bigger.

Me:  OK.  Ocean?  I can draw it digitally in Photoshop in case I make a mistake.

God:  Good.  Ocean is good.  Not digital.  Use watercolors.  

Me: Watercolors?  If I make a mistake it is ruined, and I'm still a beginner with watercolors.

God: Have you ruined one yet?

Me: Well.  You just fixed my eyes. Surely I can't say no to you if you want watercolors.  Watercolor ocean anchor it is.

The next day, I started painting the scene... the full painting took three days of working on and off.

The final piece is framed in a 16x20 frame, with an 11x14 opening.

Some of the verses that influenced its development:

Ephesians 4:11-14

Hebrews 6:19-20

Hebrews 12: 1-3

1 Corinthians 15: 58