Sunday, August 28, 2011

My Graduation Testimony


             A blank page lays neatly pressed, white with anticipation. It knows not what to expect, yet within its bound particles, a yearning bleeds forth. Extending beyond its own experience towards desire and pursuit, the canvas begs aid from resources outside itself. The pale whiteness cries for color. But further, the potential of this page awaits a vessel of fulfillment.
This canvas meets a seeking brush and its accompanying palate of color. Confident of its ability to create beauty and design ideas, the brush boldly dips into brilliant shades and sweeps over the emptiness. Replacing white naivety with wise and weathered strokes, this brush illuminates the potential of a paper once bare.
Together, the canvass and brush produce a beautiful work of art. Whether on display for the joy of others, or hidden as a secret keepsake; the painting’s existence maintains its vitality. The brush; if only for the purpose of brightening vacant space, or the canvas; providing space to be filled: the tools exist as compliments for each other. In the brush, the canvas receives perspective, form, texture, life. In the canvass lives room for instruction from the brush, along with joy in passing on true beauty. Art in itself, therefore, remains invisible without the existence of both equally important tools.
Stated with the least prideful intention, my life is a work of art. My whole person spreads wide as stretched canvas, inviting tools to add texture, carve design and shape ideas. My mother and father are grounded first as the prepping layer of prime paint. Setting the tone for future advancement, the initial hue of my upbringing allows later shades to conform slightly to its base color. My parents have brought me up in such a way as to seek Christ first. Their selfless love initiated in me a desire to serve the needs of others before my own. Love is the paint in which their brushes dip and sacrifice permeates each of my memories involving them. Through them I am able to grasp “how high, wide and deep is the love of Christ” spoken of in Ephesians.
 The biblical principles taught by my parents made up my life’s base and begged for nurturing at a young age. Woven with faith-focused textiles, Hawthorne Christian Academy stitched the earliest outline on my immature pale canvas. With changeable pencil lines, thirteen years at the Academy aided the formation of the first visible object in the middle of my canvas: my academic life. Each student I encountered at the academy added a different mark; each teacher printed their unique insignia. Quenching my thirst for thought, teachers straightened lines and curved edges and the object gained beauty.
As a contributor to the beauty of my canvas; specifically carving deep lines of determination, Mrs. Chi Chi patiently encouraged me while running cross country. Her gentle strokes of encouragement increased her underlying thrust of Godly motivation. Her coaching allowed me to see my ability to endure, even when failure seemed close at hand. As a mentor, she linked physical stamina with spiritual fortitude and taught me how “to run with perseverance the race marked out for me” as taught in Hebrews.
Mrs. Faber added colors brighter than I had ever before experienced. Her direct and forceful approach to teaching shocked my latent writing senses. Able to breathe in the clear open air, my love for words developed. With each writing assignment, whether in AP English or creative writing, my pen surprised me with its incessant gravitational force on the paper beneath. Forming innovative sentences I grew in my ability to write. With her deliberate method of refining words and shaping thought to communicate most efficiently, I grew confident with my pen. Mrs. Faber not only cultivated the sprouting author in me, but with her appreciated critique she taught me how to fluently express my opinion on paper. I learned to be encouraged by Mrs. Faber’s constructive criticism following the teaching in Hebrews to “not lose heart when rebuked”. Her unique mark forever stays on me, as she fostered my discovery of what to pursue in college. 
Further, correcting the crooked lines and sharpening the faded colors of my painting, Mr. Frederick’s brought practical application of biblical truth. Daily lessons about following Christ in the midst of real evil, suffering and distraction refined my veering gaze. Among the before mentioned examples of Christian mentors, His was the description in Psalm 15:2 “whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous and speaks the truth from their heart”. After learning the theology taught through middle and high school, this practical class was the culmination to my spiritual growth at HCA. Although some lessons were hard to receive, he stressed the importance of accepting truth even when you don’t like it, agree with it or initially believe it.  Further, Mr. Fredericks proved to be a vibrant example of the good works that accompany true faith. The pure beauty of his canvas entreated me to mirror such a life of Godly dedication.
Finally, unable to ignore the influence of a grounded youth group and healthy church, etched in me through these was a mission’s mindset. Trips to Nassau, Bahamas and Chalmette, Louisiana carved lines so deep they permanently remind me of the suffering in our world. Working alongside motivated peers, I developed appreciation for a united working body, as I witnessed the power of harmony in Christ. We made every effort “to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”, spoken of in Ephesians, whether on a construction site or leading kids in day camp. My youth pastor believed I could handle challenging lessons and I value the many Wednesday nights I left youth group unable to rid my mind of the new concept I had just learned. God has certainly placed in my life countless tools to teach me in His way.
But the wood frame to which my canvas staples fast and binds tightly my eclectic piece of art proves essential. God stands as the sturdy woodwork, holding my life. Immovable to the weight of material, deepness of the cut or tug of the stretch, his foundation resides. His is the foundation taught of in Ephesians that has “Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him [I too am] being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
My canvas remains a work in progress. New shapes develop with each decision I make, new colors are added with each conversation, and objects are erased and added according to old and new opinions. But throughout the process of this masterpiece, Godly inspiration permeates the very fiber of the canvas cloth. The tools used to work me, shape me, carve and correct me aid the composition of a life in Godly pursuit. Paul writes in Ephesians 2 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works”. The many Godly instruments that have arisen while attending Hawthorne compile the very beginning of a masterpiece to be completed with God’s direction. I look forward to experiencing alteration, retouching and viewing God’s creative result.
I thank everyone at Hawthorne, my peers and teachers, for their enormous contribution to the story of my life this far. I pray that you too would view your life as God’s masterpiece and see the beautiful exhibition on display for others. 

I was chosen to write and read my testimony for graduation.

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