The Shape of Faith

Do you remember being in kindergarten and making crayon rubbings as a mini science or art lesson?

This past week, I was working on some on-location autumn art and had the idea to take a few of the millions of amazing leaves lying around our campsite and make colored pencil rubbings. (I have an obsession with fall leaves!)

Doing leaf rubbings as an adult is magical!

Paper over leaf, pencil in hand, guessing at the right amount of pressure to use, the leaf slowly begins to take shape. Every intricacy - veins and lobes and small holes - all become clear with each pass of the pencil. It reminds me that our Creator has made millions of masterpieces; slowly and carefully revealed in their perfection. Wondrous!!!

Such a simple project: object, paper, color.

Sometimes, the simplest things are also the most complex.

Faith is like that - simple yet complex. Just as no leaf is identical to the next, no person’s faith is exactly the same as another’s.

Faith is continuously developing. Little by little it grows and expands, taking shape. It builds with every joy and every trial.

Over time our spiritual lives become richer, deeper. Prayer and Scripture and fellowship enrich our love for and dependence on our Father. Every day it grows. 

And while there are faint and weak places, there are also vivid and strong places. These are gifts He’s given us to share with the world. 

There are also some stray marks here and there, but that’s ok - it doesn’t affect how much our Father loves us. And just like a relief drawing, every new bit of pressing adds more dimension to the final outcome. 

This unfolding masterpiece of life is made complete when we see God face to face.

Then the relief drawing will no longer be a simple one color, one dimensional representation, but a stunning multifaceted masterpiece, complete in its offering at the Father’s throne.

This is the gift being formed and molded every day.

The beautiful shape of faith.

Today is a GOOD day!

Natalie