The Guarded Path

So many times when we are walking in faith, we are tempted to just take the easy wide road... Cause everybody else is, right? Nobody's looking, right?

Whether everyone is doing it or nobody on earth will see you... Father Above will!

The same for doing good things. We may refrain from doing something nice too because nobody is there to give us praise. So, we just don't do it. 

The bible says that God sees everything, good or bad. The good that we do without getting earthly praise is actually the good that matters eternally. The earthly praise we get will be just that, earthly. 

Trust God! When you walk by faith, you do not walk by sight! It's not about the praise we see here or consequences for the unseen wrongs we choose to do. 

It's about God seeing, Heaven's perspective of our earthly life. 

In the end, if we are choosing the right way, God promises in His word that He will guard the path for us. So, if sneaky snakes are hiding in the bushes then trust God has it in His hands. You can walk with ease. 

Related Verses: 

Matthew 7:14 "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Hebrew 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will"

Matthew 6:2-4“So when you [a]give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you [b]give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 so that your [c]giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

2 Corinthians 5:6- "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord"

The Creative Process, guided by the Spirit

Every time I create a piece of artwork related to my Creator, something special happens inside of me. I feel as though the Holy Spirit fills me up and aides me in the entire creative process. It is a very intimate time of worship with me. I just disappear into the spirit realm and let Him take control of my every creative movement. I decided to document each part of this special project. This is a faith based drawing, but the idea came from a client's imagination. He told me that he wanted a picture like this for a while now and explained to me the image in his mind. I find it challenging to work with others images, simple because if they do not collide, the client will be disappointed. They have to rely on my image as well to collide with their own giving me some freedom to roam. But, I really wanted to take the offer since it is a spiritual picture and that is my legacy to Create for My Creator. 

So, as I communicated with the client, he told me he wanted A boy and girl walking down a path while holding Jesus' hand leading into a spread out area of redwood trees. The path leading to a sunrise and the viewer seeing this scene from behind. He wanted it to look like they were starting their morning with Jesus...

So, I got images online of redwood trees, sunrises, and kids walking while holding hands (never did find the perfect one though). I printed the images for reference and began by using my original small simple design as a jumping board (see below).

I started by lightly drawing in the images with pencil and then outlining them with thick and thin permanent markers. I left the distant trees and details uninked to appear as though there was atmospheric perspective. (see below image)

After I completed the drawing one night, I could not go to bed just thinking about how I would use color to make the image really come to life. This is one of my GREATEST passions in life... COLOR! I was super ready to get it started but knew I wanted to sleep on it before I began the following day. So the next morning, I got out my 50 pack of Crayola colored pencils and started on the sunrise. This was the part I was most inspired by from my reference images. I wanted it to appear as though the sun was so sharp and bright that it burst out past the horizon line. That kind of light that you have to squint at, you know? I then put the cool dark shadows of purple and blue into the redwood tree trunks. (see below image)

Then I worked all of the amber gold colors of the sunset into the light side of the trees to capture the powerful warmth of the sun's comfort. I really worked hard to make the trees closest to the sun appear lighter and airier than the ones closer to the viewer. I think this helps us feel that the further we walk down the path with Christ, the closer we are to hope and light. The path far from Him is dark and lonely. 

 

I put off the people till last really because I feel very self consious about my people drawing skills. I did not find the perfect picture to look at to draw the images, so I had to imagine what they would look like in my head and what the body would be doing as they walked. I drew the pencil lines for them so many times I almost wore the paper out. But, I feel as though I did the best I could. Coloring them gave me more confidence that I could camouflage any line drawing imperfections by drawing the eye to the forms. Everything looks better with color (in my opinion).

The walkers from a different angle... 

 

The sun was so fun for me. I love what the source of light can do to a picture, turning it from flat to fabulous. I love using cool dark colors (blue, green, violet) for the shade rather than black. Then I mix in warm tones (gold, yellow, orange, red, peach, and pink) to give the lighter side some sassy splash. 

 

I had a really fun time drawing the ferns. I thought they would be a pain, but they were really fun and easy for me...

So, by the end of the whole process I feel a sense of accomplishment that My Maker with me did something together successfully. On my own, it may not have been as much. I encourage you to take what you love and glorify the Lord with it, giving Him control to work through you. I find that in this process, I learn more about my Creator as I create.

See more of my faith based creations here..

http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/p/my-art.html

Balance of Faith...

As we walk the road of faith towards the cross we choose to be selfless.

Nobody walks this path perfectly. We often venture off to the sides, knowing that we should not.

One side we walk on is high, so high that we think we don' t need Him. We think we are our own God and that all things are possible though ourselves. We can do anything and need Him for nothing. Everythign we gain is for our glory. We are rich, rightous, and prideful. But, on this plateau of pride, it hurts to fall off. But, through the pain of falling from it, we see the truth.

On the other side of the path, it is low and pull of pits. If we venture here, we feel as though we have nothing to offer God. We feel as though He does not see us and has forgotten us. We are worthless and feel pity on ourselves for being left by Him. But the truth is that we left, not Him. We can always go back. In fact, He is waiting there for us patienly in love, never condeming.

Although the clouds may be grey outside of his love, we are invited to walk with Him daily.

Will you give up your selfish pride or self pity to follow a road unselfishly?

It is not easy, but He gives us strength, guidance, and protection there.

At the end is eternity, peace, and treasure.

Follow and see...

sketch of balance of faith

pre color...

 

I did a Bible Study lesson for Sunday School 

and used this worksheet at our Visual handout on the lesson. 

It has ALOT of valuable scripture about being Prideful, Pitiful, and being on the right path.

You are more than welcome to use it if you like for any study you are using.