It has been a year since I graduated from YWAM 50+. It is time to finish reviewing the things that I learned and heard from God. Art is not science but we can see God in our beautiful world. We can see satan in the ugly. This study included art and how artists through time have tried to show God. After YWAM I did spend some time in Italy in art museums with Christian themes, mostly catholic. Catholic means universal but I have already written about all of the depictions of Mother Mary with exaggerated value given her in so many paintings. My only ask, last Christmas, was a depiction of Jesus on the cross. His head is bowed very low after His death and I had never thought about His head being slightly bent to one side. If Jesus’ neck had been tied to the cross it makes sense but the painting that speaks to me is very dramatic because of that one fact.
God’s creation had/has order, beauty, and abundance. Then the rebellion is upon us by Genesis Chapter 4. Considering the 66 books in the Bible, most of history is tied to trying to get back to God and the garden. Abraham and Israel had many opportunities but messed it up. Jesus enters time and brings grace and truth. He was a complete human and showed us how to live. My identity and significance is in that relationship as a daughter of God. During this class someone passed me a note that I stuck in my book saying, “This time is about you and God. It is time for you!”. I remember who sent it and hope all is well in Australia. How am I useful in this season? Our gifts direct the order, beauty, and abundance in and around us.
We were asked to describe our perfect day. I wrote – to not be too busy that I can see my good Father and His good gifts. We have many roles and should drop the ones that lack Kingdom significance. In our future, what is the next right thing to do? In Luke 24:13-34, Jesus helps His disciples process His death and resurrection. In verse 21 they express their disappointment that, “…He was going to redeem Israel…”. After the criss next steps were on each mind and was on mine nearing the end of classes. While God is restoring, redeeming, and recreating, He sees us at the beginning and the end. Because YWAM 50+ is for people like me who have already lived move than what’s ahead, we are like the disciples on the road to Emmaeus – sometimes feeling confused and betrayed by the lives we’ve lived. What is left for me? It was a dark time for Jesus’ followers but we know that God redeems the time. The earth was without form and sometimes we are like that and need some work. Let God explain my story so I can dance, instead of just run, to the finish line.
