Just a simple white canvas stretched out. White, plain. Nothing to make it stand out, nothing to make it special. Then a simple 
brush stroke glides across the textured surface. A simple line that breaks the monotony. Every stroke of color brings more texture, more life to the simple canvas. But the artist does not stop there. Color upon color is added. Vibrant, bright colors. Dark, brooding colors. Neutral, indistinct colors. They all mix together forming a story. A new depth is added with each stroke. The darker colors do not detract from the painting. They do not ruin the artistry of the picture. Instead the darker colors add a new intensity to it. Because of the darker colors, the vibrant clors seem brighter, somehow more luminous. Without the grim colors the painting would lack contrast and the radiance of the artist would not shine through. Every stroke works together to create a beautiful picture.
Today God gave me this picture. I am just a plain, white canvas stretched out before Him. Every event of my life is another brush stroke of color. Some events are vibrant, some neutral, and some black. All of those colors have worked together throughout my life, to make me who I am now. The good, bad and drab moments of life all entwine making a beautiful collage of experience. These nexts two weeks in Project Searchlight I will be looking at all those things that make me who I am. The world needs that I saw that have broken my heart; the passion God has given me for others; the skills and talents God has given to me to meet the needs of those people; and the plans I need to attain the vision that God has given me are all taken into consideration to develop my voice in this world.
Today was just the beginning. We talked, we laughed, we cried. We shared expereinces from the race that left indelible marks on us. We prayed for each other and built one another up. There were moments it felt like I was back in school, but it was so much better! This is my first blog of many that will be posted in the next two weeks, so stay tuned! God is creating an incredible work here. I like the words from an Addison Road song entitled This Could Be Our Day:
“What we do here is just the beginning. New life is starting at every ending. We are a part of the story unfolding. This is the weight of the world we are holding. This could be our day.” I would only change the last sentence to This IS our day! We ARE taking hold of it. And we WILL live the life God made us to live!
