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The Story of Maranatha Creative
Before I knew God, I lived in total darkness. It was as if I was in the basement of a house with all its blinds and curtains drawn shut, and there was not even a lightbulb screwed in or a match to be found. When He opened my eyes to see Him and my heart to get to know Him, a cord was pulled in the attic and light seeped through the cracks down into the cellar. I could see, though my vision was still dim. He guided me, and through great challenge, He helped me to begin to make my way toward the light. In the only way I knew how, I stumbled, one foot in front of the other, up the stairs, grabbing onto everything in my path. In my clinging, the Lord helped me to learn dependence upon Him, and taught me how to seek Him. As I drew nearer to Him, He showed me how to unlock the windows and open the blinds. He gave new meaning to things in my life which I had shut out, deeming them unworthy of ever having value. His light had slowly started to transform my vision, shifting my perspective from the inside out, and giving me a new lens through which to see the world around me. I now know that it is God who gives all things meaning. He determines their significance. Even what the enemy means for evil, God uses for good (Gen. 50:20). In God’s economy, nothing is without value.
Now, I have screwed in the lights and flipped them on, opened the windows wide and pulled the curtains back, and allowed light to flood into my life. There has been no greater experience than this in my life, for now I am able to see clearly (Lk. 8:16-18; 11:33-36). What was purposeless and defiled by my past has been made new in His light and by His love. He has redeemed me, and my experiences alongside my mind have been given new purpose. Now, the doors of my heart are wide open, and I am more protected than I ever was in all my shut-up darkness. The light pours out of me, and I have been blessed to have so often been gifted the eyes to see the ways in which others are impacted and welcomed in. My heart has become a home for the hurting, and I am able to both rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). Praise the Lord for this miraculous and magnificent work, for which there is no other explanation. Truly, the darkness was so great, and amidst it the light shone all the brighter. There is nothing our God cannot do, and no darkness that will not flee in His presence.
The Maranatha message is simply this: that Jesus has come, and that He will soon come again.
What has been music to my ears is the deep meaning of a particular word in Scripture (1 Cor. 16:22), and its message of hope. The body of Christ has been singing collectively for thousands of years, and its chorus repeats, “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!” The Maranatha message is simply this: that Jesus has come, and that He will soon come again. In daily devotion, in open-hearted obedience, and in gleeful gratitude, we long for the return of our Lord, and with His coming, the restoration of all things. What a joyous song to sing, and a hopeful soundtrack by which to live. Without Him, we would be dead in our sins, lost and without a map in a world of confusion and chaos, stuck in the dark without a glimpse of the morning. Praise God that He loved us so much that He would send His only Son, that we might not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16), and that He is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). With each rising of the sun, I am reminded anew that Our God is an awesome Artist, and that if He will take such care in painting the sky each day, that He cares all the more deeply for humanity. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). He has held it all in His hands and has never once let any of us go.
In light of all this, be diligent with what you surround yourself with, intentional with what you allow to impact your heart, and aware of what is shaping your life. Be careful that you are not distracted, deceived, or disheartened. Experience great joy with each new day, for with each time the Lord grants you breath He has also given you purpose and opportunity. Take heed and take heart. Pray that your eyes would be opened to what is right in front of you, your ears attuned to His whisper and to the cries of the hurting, your mouth given the words to speak in love and truth, your hands strengthened to take up your cross, your feet equipped to follow Him, and your focus on the inbreaking kingdom. Be faithful, for this is the purpose for you were created. Represent Him well. Rely on Him in all your ways and in all your days. I can promise little, but I do know that this is a posture He will bless.