Often times when I inform people of the time that I walk up
to the Library in the morning they cringe. The funny thing is that looking back
at this time last year I had to get up at least a half hour earlier than I have
on my earliest morning since coming to college; this is just one of the many
things that have completely changed since arriving at PBU. I really enjoy
my walk up to the library early in the morning because it is the only time that
I walk on campus and don't see anyone; only the squirrels, birds, geese, and of
course our ducks, are out and about. This walk always makes me take a step back
and reminds me that I need to take time and appreciate the beautiful creation
that God has made for us. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the work we
need to do and the places that we need to go, but during this walk I am
challenged to notice something new, like the last of the vibrant
leaves clinging onto their trees or the ducks and geese gliding on the ponds
surface.
I know that as Thanksgiving is approaching
quickly the work for many students seems to be piling up with assignments due
right before we head home for this much needed break and it forces one to
wonder if it will all get done on time. My suggestion to you would be that the
next time you make a mad dash to the computer lab ten minutes before class and
end up waiting in line to print out your paper because your fellow students are
printing out that same one, take a deep breath. Yes, sometimes the printer may
be a tad bit slow, but give it a moment and it will catch up, also, don’t be
concerned about the fact that you can no longer logout, that was changed so
there would be less printing problems, all you need to do is click Restart. But
most importantly, remember, take a moment as you rush to get to class and
realize how beautiful God’s creation really is and how incredibly blessed we
are to be loved by Him.
~Leia Brunette
~Leia Brunette
On October 26, 2011, I had the wonderful privilege of hearing Makoto Fujimura give a
lecture about his newest project, the Four Holy Gospels Bible, which was
published by Crossway and released in January 2011. It was fascinating to hear
about his technique, Nihonga, which involves painting with pigments made of
prismatic minerals in multiple layers. One of the paintings he spoke of is
titled "Prodigal God", based on the story of the two sons in Luke 15.
The title is based off a book by the same title written by Fujimura's pastor,
Timothy Keller. I read this book over the summer, and it was very challenging. In
speaking of the book and his painting, Fujimura explained that in the days of
Shakespeare, the word prodigal had a good connotation and meant spend-thrift,
or spending everything for a cause. We often label the younger son as prodigal,
but the real prodigal, by the Shakespearean definition, is the Father. Keller
stresses this in his book as well. Both of the sons are wayward in their own
ways. The younger son runs after worldly pleasure. The older son gets caught up
in legalism, and despite both of the sons' mistakes, the father spends all on
them. He runs to meet his youngest, something which was not seen as respectable
for elders to do. For his older son, he leaves the banquet, a great disgrace,
to speak to his son and bring reconciliation. Our Father does this too. He sent
His only son, Jesus, to be disgraced for our sake, which is an incredible
picture of extravagant grace.
Makoto Fujimura leaves the viewer to imagine their own meaning out of his "Prodigal God" painting, but there are several little clues he gives to demonstrate this extraordinary grace. First of all, Fujimura used oyster shell pigments, the only opaque, transparent white pigment, to provide a vision of grace, which provides a stark contrast to the other side of the painting. And speaking of two sides, Fujimura informs his audience that splitting the picture is not recommended in the art world, but he intentionally employed this split to create a problem that humans cannot solve, which illustrates that grace does not equal doing stuff for God, but rather accepting His free gift.
I highly recommend reading Prodigal God (found at this call number in the library: BT378.P8 K25 2008) and meditating on its challenge to be a real prodigal who spends all they have to seek those who are lost in their sin. This is the challenge Fujimura is also trying to convey, and I believe it is crucial to embrace this grace and live it out.
~Allison Beyer
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