You Make Beautiful Things Out Of Me.

For we are God's handiwork, created n Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

God created me. He gave me passion. He chose me specifically to do His work in a completely unique way. Then He stood back and let me find my way.

For years, I thought that I was worthless. I thought that I was a failure. Even knowing the love of Christ, I still didn't see myself as important or having any worth. This all stemmed from be nearly failing out of college and spending 11 years working at a factory.

I KNEW I was called to do so much more. But I was stuck. I KNEW that I was put on this earth to create. To make beautiful things. And being stuck in a factory was not where I could make those beautiful things.

But what I took for granted was all the ways that I could serve my Lord by creating. It may not be as a job. It might just be where I devote my time outside church.

7 years ago, when I first started Granger Community Church, I joined the IMag team. For 6 and 1/2 years I served on that team as a camera operator. In this function, I helped bring our weekend services to the masses. But I still didn't feel like I was doing what I was meant to be doing for the Lord. I wanted to do more.

I recently heard a friend/leader talk about the way the Lord pulls you toward something better. He talked about how it is hard and sometimes confusing to step out of where you are and step into the flow of what God is doing around you. That is what I did a little over a year ago when I decided to step into a new role at church as a lighting programmer/operator. It was scary starting all over in an area that I knew nothing about. But now, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I truly believe that this is what God created me to do.

Designing the lights for a weekend service gives me a high that cannot compare to any drug. And at the same time, it is something I can do to calm and relax me. It is my outlet for stress, sadness, and joy.

I may not ever make money off of creating "pretty light" designs, but I will always know that my God has a plan and purpose for me. And right now it is as a volunteer lighting programmer at Granger Community Church. And for that, I am unbelievably grateful.