Over the past two weeks I have shared the individual paintings that make up the Fruit of the Spirit Collection as I have written about the life lessons God taught me as I worked at the easel. Today is the final post from this series. The lesson is a reminder of one of the main strategies from Created For So Much More that says, Dream Big, Work Small.
When I was first commissioned to paint the collection based on the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) I grabbed my iPad and iPad pencil and drew out the different sizes and shapes that would fit together on the wall in a way that would allow each painting to shine as well as be harmonious across the space.
The full collection represents the big vision and/or dream that the Lord gives you. God’s dream is never one dimensional. He always has so much more for you to do than to be singularly focused on just one idea.
A good example of this is Created For So Much More which began as a conference but now includes conferences, books, videos, group studies and so much more.
When painting a multiple piece collection, I have to consider the overall vision while I make sure that each piece fulfills its unique purpose and speaks its own message. That is where working small comes in.
As you live life embracing your God-given identity and purpose keep the big vision in mind as you ask the Lord to give you today’s step. There are times when adjustments need to be made as you consider the big picture of your dream.
Once two or three paintings in this collection were complete, I laid all nine out on my living room floor and had to make some adjustments. A couple of pieces needed to be moved around and at least one canvas size and shape needed to be changed.
God doesn’t often give us the complete picture of our future. He does give us a dream and vision and then expects that we will work day-to-day to accomplish His divine purpose. His promise is that when we commit our way to Him, when we trust Him, He will bring our big audacious dream to pass.
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
He wants us to stay connected to Him while we consider the big picture. Adjustments might need to be made along the way, but He is faithful to the big vision He gave you.
Commit your steps to Him.
Trust Him.
Watch Him work to bring your vision to pass.
Here is the Fruit of the Spirit Collection in its home.