“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
‘Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Little Light / Kinsley Madelyn
The most tender part of my heart was exposed when you came into this world. Bright white hair, deep belly laughs, and little fingers remind me of how fragile you are. How fragile life is.
When we grow up, we forget. The darkness of the world sits down at our table, without us even realizing it. Soon, little one, you will experience pain, loneliness, fear, regret, anger, etc. and you too will forget how to be a child. To play on the floor, to dance without hesitation whenever the music turns on, or to simply be held by your Father.
My soul is drawn to your sweet pureness. You are a little light in my heart. It awakens me from the trance of the world’s lullaby, from sinking back into the numbness that distracts me from walking free as a child of God.
I pray that you know Jesus because He desires your little light to become a roaring flame. So much that He gave His life for you, taking the things that steal your child-like joy and nailing them to a cross. His light is true, pure, and will never go out. With Him, you can dance and dream without limits.
Awake, My Soul!
Setting Sail / Don’t Stay in the Harbor
Oh I knew there was a Heaven the first time I sailed. Holy Spirit I felt your mysterious and playful wind. Overwhelmed with freedom and strength from the boat bursting through the waves.
In 2017, Jesus asked me to board His boat, to follow Him on a great adventure. I said yes, but I wanted to stay in the harbor. Tied up to the dock, protected from the waves and tide, just Jesus and I talking the day and night away.
Slowly, He started getting the boat and my heart prepared. Lifting the anchors. Centering the rig. Asking me to throw out the bad cargo and cut the anchors He didn’t place.
I trust you Spirit, to guide me. There are no pavement lines on the water, just a North Star and His gentle corrections. Would you take me to the edges of the sea to the island where no man has gone? Lord, can we race the wind?
Finally, I let out my sails.
Here I am, here You are.
He asked me if I trust Him. I responded, “Yes”.
Then He called me out of everything. To step out of the boat, onto the water. Jesus reached out His hand and said, “Come to me, child”.
Faith cannot exist with fear. I see Heaven when I step out onto the water. One of the most terrifying, freeing, and Holy experiences that man can have. Lord, give me more of You. Help me continue to set sail.
Awake, O Sleeper!
Muddy Waters / Experiencing You
Jesus, why do I feel alive when I willingly go into the muddy waters?
The cold rush of water.
The slimy mud in between my toes.
The pebbles poking my heels.
Lord, I think it is because you heal us here. Physically moved. Emotionally light. Spiritually aware.
I want to experience you, Lord. Your Holy, Holy, Holy presence. Your comfort deeply calms my weary hearts. Your quiet whisper is strong and clear. We crave You. You designed us to be with you. You meet us in the muddy waters.
Spirit, flood over us.
Awake, O Sleeper!
Blessed are the Poor / Hidden Realities
35mm film
Before, I never let the tears form. I wouldn’t let them even get close, instead, I clung to the numb feeling that I thought was strength. Being in the dark was comfortable.
Then Jesus brought me here. To a village of homes, stacked on top of each other. Weaving through dirt paths, I saw firsthand what I'd seen a million times on the posters and commercials, yet this time I gave myself permission to see it. To hear the truth. To feel the weight of the poor and needy.
It crushed me. His gracious light exposed the hidden realities of my brothers and sisters. The guilt of turning my head, of scrolling past it, and distancing myself from engaging with them. It was the only way I could protect my heart from not getting shattered.
She was only 4. This was the front step of where she lived.
In the middle of our conversation with her mom and aunt, this little girl started sobbing. Her mom told us that she cried a lot and she wasn’t sure why. Our leader, Vanessa, fell onto her knees and opened her arms. The little girl stumbled into her and fell apart. That’s when Jesus woke me up. He broke through the wall of numbness and His Spirit rushed new life into my whole body. We all wept.
The release. That is what happens when you lay it down. Your whole body responds with tears, weak knees, and loud cries. The enemy doesn’t want us to have compassion or to act on injustices such as these. That numb feeling wasn't a strength, but a weakness that Satan was using to keep me detached.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor”. He didn’t say that to disregard suffering, but to boldly wake us up to the reality that we are blessed richly when we walk with Him. Jesus also had no place to lay his head. Shine your light on this darkness Lord!
Let your tears fall. Wake up to the spiritual world around you. Let your heart do what it was designed to do: feel.
Awake, O Sleeper!
The Mission Field / Scatter the Earth
I want to fight the good fight of faith. To gather around the Light, gazing at the radiance and warmth it brings. Hand in hand, knowing that the choice I’ve made has a cost.
The cost is everything.
No holding back, not a single ounce. Pouring my every tear, plea, and song onto your feet Lord because you’ve shown me what freedom tastes and looks like! I fall onto my knees in surrender because I love you. Could I spend the rest of my life pouring out even a fraction of what you’ve given to me?
At night, when the world sleeps, I’ll be up. Ready for the quiet prompting to gather around the fire, in Your presence, to hear Your plans. To listen to Your dreams of freeing all people.
A holy mission that we get to join. He gives us His most powerful weapon: His Spirit unleashed in us. I can feel myself wanting to grab the reins and control its power…but what if I just let go?
So that when I’m standing 10 feet away from the gates of hell, I can whisper: “No weapon of evil will prevail”. Satan does not win. The crystals, the man-made gods, the illusion that death is the end, the abuse, the failures, bloody wars, heartbreak, theft, stage 4 cancer – Jesus’ light drowns out all the darkness.
I will go, because I love you.
Take me deeper than I’ve ever gone.
Awake, My Soul!
My Cup Overflows / Bayle Scow
I’m fighting for you.
Grounded in His truth, wrecked by His compassion. You are not pulled by the strings of man, but dance with the Spirit. You are a vessel that carries His love and it is felt deeply. You're my sister, bonded through Christ.
This day plays on repeat in my head. Lord, we felt your glory. Your light was radiant and beaming all around us.
“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”
There are no words, just awe. Just our breath. Stilled by your presence.
“Open your arms to Him. Take a deep breath. Feel His light shine upon you. He restores you. Jesus gives you life.”
My heart does not have the capacity to receive your love Lord, my cup overflows into the only way it can be felt: tears. It is indescribable. It’s only by your Spirit. Oh, Lord, it is so so good…
Our King wants to use you. Our gentle Shepherd delights in walking with you in open fields. Our Heavenly Father will protect you. Come out of hiding.
What a joy it was to get a glimpse of heaven on this day. Soon He will bring us home. Kneeling side by side in worship before Him, but until then…
Awake, My Soul!
Bold Like a Bison / Stand Firm
God, you have hidden beautiful things in the bison.
You have designed them to turn into a snow storm rather than drifting with the wind. Unlike cows, who run away from the storm, bison receive the brunt of the storm in the process.
Relative truth is the belief that truth changes based on the individual's understanding of it. We see this with the bison and the cow. Both with a different understanding of how to handle the storm.
The bison stands firm. It’s like they know your truth, Lord. You did not design us to wander in our own understanding of the truth, but to cling to YOUR true ways.
They know the storm approaching isn’t dandelions and rainbows. They know that choosing to stand firm doesn’t mean that they won't still have to face the wind and ice. Yet, the bison chose it. I choose it. Why?
Because I have you to face the storm with, Lord.
Don’t run.
Don’t avoid it.
Take it head on.
Awake, O Sleeper!
The Bridge / Ford
He has revealed to me the path of life, yet I can only see the first step put before me. But faith requires me to trust even when I don’t see the whole road. So I step.
The first step is always the scariest. So many unknowns. “Will I disappoint them? Am I going to be viewed differently? I’ve been against this for so long. I’ve been repulsed by this.”
Yet, there is something here that calls me.
Then the flood comes and covers the road. Bringing me to a stop. An easy out.
Yet, there is something here that calls me.
Ford - a shallow place where water can cross. The waters on the road aren’t deep. They are shallow. But you still have to cross. To make the decision to hold onto your Father’s hand as He lifts you over the water to dry land. While in mid-air you realize that it was simple all along. To choose. To walk awake. To walk with Your Heavenly Father.
I gave too much attention to the puddle that I had to cross and not enough credit to the God that splits the sea.
Awake, O Sleeper!
Awake, My Soul!
The Photographers:
Emily Frenzen (left), Lexi Fields (center), Megan Wilberger (right)
*** all work featured here is done by Megan Wilberger, other work was featured at the gallery.
