clearing the stage

Last month we celebrated Rez Week on campus-- short for resurrection. It is a Christian celebration in the middle of campus, which includes nightly events, a coffeehouse, singers, performers, artists of all kinds, discussion boards, and a 24/7 prayer tent.

Year after year, it is my favorite time on campus. There's nothing else like it. This year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and attempt something new-- designing and producing a mural. It was quite a challenge, but such an awesome experience.

The theme this year was "Clearing the Stage: bringing down the barriers between you and God." Our murals were supposed to reflect something that people use as a barrier. My barrier was pain. I based it off of my friends who don't share my faith. More often than not, when I ask them why they do not believe, the answer is pain. This is a physical pain, and emotional pain, a general suffering-- but some form of pain.

I illustrated several forms of pain that people in my life use to separate themselves from God, then I wrote in my thoughts on pain from personal study. My conclusion is that pain can actually bring us closer to God. Through scripture and study, I found pain to be both stewardship and fellowship-- meant to draw us to Him.

Katie (center) was on the planning committee and worked her butt off all week. Katie and Dawn are my accountability partners-- we meet weekly and share our lives and pray together. It's one of the best parts of my week. These girls are pretty amazing :)