Open Your Sails
“For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction by one Holy Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him]. Therefore, you are no longer outsiders excluded from the rights of citizens, but you now share citizenship with the saints; and you belong to God’s own household." - Ephesians 2:18-19
As I read through this passage, I wanted to draw an art piece that connected with the words ‘whether far off or near.’ This sentence reaches out to all people in their specific circumstances and invites all to come and be a part of God’s family. It’s an invitation to the ones that appear close to God and also to the ones that are stranded in strange and foggy waters - we can all now have hope of belonging.
One day, as I was thinking about drawing on grey paper. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I wanted to use the grey as an illusion, creating a 3D effect. As I continued to mediate on the “drawing near” portion of scripture, the words inspired me to draw something moveable, like a sailboat. The piece began to take shape, and the grey paper created an illusion of fog surrounding the boat.
“But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away, through the blood of Christ have been brought near." - Ephesians 2:13
In daily life, we sometimes want to linger in smooth waters, unmoving, stagnant, shrouded in fog, just like my sailboat. But what if Jesus was anchored nearby, wouldn’t we set our sails and try to draw closer to Him? I don’t want to be unmovable, and I also don’t want to sail aimlessly, being drawn farther from God. I want to accept his invitation and open my sails and escape the fog, drawing nearer to the Father, because without Him I am nothing. Being far off doesn’t benefit me or the ones around me, and the spiritual disconnect leaves me empty, confused, and alone. Through His crucified flesh, Christ tore down the dividing wall, He made us to be one family and one body. Because of His immeasurable and limitless free gift of salvation, we can release our sails and glide closer, drawing near to the Father.
So, take courage my friend and open your sails - pursue the One who is worthy of it all.
With Much Love,
Shaina