Paint with the colors that God gives you

What gift has God called you to be obedient with? And how can we unlock your voice so He receives glory?

Greetings church,

As we concluded our worship on Sunday of last week, I had such a joy in my heart. It was joyful to play my instrument, and joyful to hear others do the same. I was reminded of a saying I often heard from our former pastor, Lee Eclov: "we paint with the colors God gives us."

I met Lee while still in seminary; he had this habit of giving his free time away to seminarians and small church pastors, hosting Bible studies and formation groups so he could pray for them. As often as I could, I would sit with Lee and hear his wisdom. His great concern at that time was for us in our formative state, and that our churches didn't burn us out. But he also expressed his anxiety for the broader church, and that we wouldn't damage her. He said it often: churches aren't led, they are shepherded. As a small church pastor himself, Lee rightly recognized that our goal in the church isn't conformity or originality, but obedience. Often God gives us gifts and talents and people that defy easy category, and then He instructs us to bring Him glory with our gifts. Sometimes a spotless lamb, sometimes a pigeon. But always, always an offering given to Him.

So Lee would say over and over: "we paint with the colors God gives us". Brass? We give God brass. Oboes? We give Him oboes if we got 'em. Bassoons? Well, let's stick with brass! (I joke, if you play bassoon I need to know this so I don't joke on you anymore!) But the point hopefully is clear: we may be a small church, perhaps not much in the world's eyes, but God has a great plan for you, for us, and precisely for how the gifts He has planted in you are returned to Him so He receives glory. And no matter the configuration, the result is always the same: dazzling.

This splash of color will be seen all over our Sunday worship this week: in prayer at 9:30, in song and the Word at 10, and as we gather for Oikos for prayer, fellowship, care, and Bible study after service. Will you join us?

And finally, just a dig at you because I can't help it: what color has God given you? Are we painting with it? What gift has God called you to be obedient with? And how can we unlock your voice so He receives glory? Let me know!

Beloved of Christ, His Good Shepherd's eye rests upon you and your family; peace and care and homecoming are His intentions. Many blessings to you,

joshua rasdall
senior pastor  |  grace fellowship