Today I will tap my toes all the way to heaven’s gates.

Today I will point out every shade of gold and periwinkle that we pass.

Today I will talk about my faith like we talk about the weather—

early and unprompted, comfortable and unashamed.

Today I will tell you that God did such a good job with freckles, willow trees,

and your entire being.

And I will not be embarrassed by my own conviction.

—from the poem “Praise the Mount” by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

“Praise the mount of God’s unchanging love. . . ” This lyric represents Peter’s mountaintop faith moment. It speaks to spiritual euphoria and feeling the closeness of God. In this story, Peter proclaims who Jesus is. He speaks with conviction. Peter claims his faith. If you had to speak your faith in one sentence or phrase, what would you say? When we have the courage to say, “This, I believe…” then that conviction has a ripple effect on others. When life gets rocky, we lean on mountain top moments and our deepest convictions to see us through. | @sanctifiedart

Find or create an image of water describing where you are on your faith journey. Is it rough and choppy? Calm and peaceful? Bubbling and flowing? Slow and stagnant? | @sanctifiedart

God of the wind, how often do I cling to the edge of the boat? How often do I allow fear or my own insecurities to win? Create in me a brave heart. Put your voice alongside my own. Help me speak with courage even when my voice shakes. The storm may rage, but I know, I am not alone. Amen.

—prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

God is near, not simply because we have doubted, but because we have had the faith to get out of the boat and start walking at the command of Jesus. I believe that God honors us and meets us in our lowest places.

—Dr. Terence Lester (@imterencelester), from his commentary on Matthew 14:22-33 | @sanctifiedart

Safe in the boat I wonder where the fault lies

Was it the storm or my own reckless desire

To have control or prove myself as able

Rather than faithful

Grace for the journey, grace for all my failings

Grace when I’m sinking, grace when storms assail me

Faith in myself and faith in God’s provision

Not my ambition

—from the hymn "Into the Waters" by Rev. Anna Strickland | @sanctifiedart

Living in a metropolitan area, I don’t get the luxury of stars but I like to imagine a world where the skies told their own stories. In "Lift Off," the elements are like main characters, inspiring whimsical fantasy. Cut-out layered clouds build into the horizon of the sea. The forceful wind tunnel blows over the sinking foot of a probably panicking Peter. This is a moving piece that is meant to tell a story in any direction it is turned. Like the theme of this series, the viewer should feel like they are on a journey with Peter. "Lift Off" is intentionally dark with beautiful highlights of color and sparkle. It is because of the darkness that the colors shine bright. These two things are complimentary, not contrasting. The fear that entered Peter with the wind was most likely heightened because it was dark out. Without knowing exactly what was around him, Peter became vulnerable, thus causing him to reach out. The wonder of darkness exposes us and invites us to seek connection.

—from the artist's statement for "Lift Off" by Rev. Nicolette Peñaranda (@nicolette.faison) | @sanctifiedart

Rev. Nicolette Peñaranda has incorporated many Adinkra symbols from the Gyaman people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire into her art. Learn more about their meanings and significance at adinkrasymbols.org.

I’d rather not need rescue.

I’d prefer a five-step plan

and a quick-fix solution.

I’d prefer stubborn insistence

over honest vulnerability,

because rescue requires

asking for help.

—from the poem “Rescue Me” by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

As a new disciple, perhaps Peter wants to prove himself. Boldly, in the middle of a storm, Peter steps out of the boat to join Jesus who is walking on top of the waves. He, too, walks on water until the wind shakes his trust and he begins to sink. Many of us know what it feels like to be thrown off balance, to feel as if we’re sinking. Maybe this looks like doubt, unexpected change, too-busy seasons of life, devastating grief, or distance from God. In this story, we empathize with the desperation Peter feels as he cries out, and we pray for God to save us when we sink. | @sanctifiedart

Dr. Lester writes, “Just as Jesus sought out the Galilean fishermen, we sought out people suffering on the streets.” In your own community, who is God seeking out? Who might God be calling you to seek out? | @sanctifiedart

Peter had a wandering heart. Jesus was always there to catch Peter, to walk beside him, to wash his feet, and to offer love. In Peter’s story, we find Jesus. Peter’s wandering faith ebbed and flowed, pushed away and pulled close. But he was always tethered to the love of God.

—Dr. Terence Lester (@imterencelester), from his commentary on Luke 5:1-11 | @sanctifiedart

Jesus Christ, you met Peter on a boat, on a normal day at sea. I imagine you have done the same for me. I imagine you have met me a thousand times, in a thousand ways, before I ever realized you were near. Thank you for meeting me over and over again. Thank you for giving me the chance to begin. Thank you for the chance to make this faith my own. Amen.

—prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

A chance encounter by the lake

I thought this must be some mistake

That someone wrapped in holiness

Would willingly embrace this mess

I tried to tell you, “Leave me be—

I’m not sure what you see in me.”

And yet you chose my net to fill

With all my faults you call me still

—from the hymn "You Sought Me" by Rev. Anna Strickland | @sanctifiedart

In this image, the bursting nets transform into a river of grace meandering through the composition of Peter’s life. The river pours into Peter’s hands, but he can’t quite grasp the fullness of this gift and calling quite yet, and so most of it rushes right by. As you will see in my other pieces for this series, this river of grace will wander alongside Peter throughout his life.

Despite Peter’s resistance, grace seeks him out. His right thumb gets caught in the net. He can’t escape the fact that God’s goodness and mercy will pursue him all the days of his life (Psalm 23:6). The river rushes in. The question for Peter—and for each of us—is will he follow where it leads?

—from the artist's statement for "River of Grace" by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | @sanctifiedart

I create one million barriers

of independence,

but still God seeks after me.

God leans a rainbow over the sky.

God sends sun after the rain.

God blankets the earth with wildflowers.

God allows music to carry

and laughter to rise,

all so that I might notice.

—from the poem “All This Time” by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

Jesus doesn’t seek out trained Rabbis to be his disciples; instead, he calls a few Galilean fishermen to follow him and join his ministry. In this story, Jesus tells Simon Peter to drop his nets one more time, even though they’ve been fishing all night long and have caught nothing. To their surprise, they haul in nets bursting with fish. In response to this abundant miracle, Peter says, “Go away from me, Lord!” And yet, Peter and his partners drop their nets and follow Jesus. What is the beginning of your faith story? When has God sought you out? Have you ever felt like your calling was pursuing—or chasing—you? Did you resist? Did you follow? | @sanctifiedart

I have never tuned a piano, but I understand it takes hours. Small notes plucked repeatedly, like rain on a tin roof. Some things cannot be rushed. Some things require a steady hand, a listening ear, the intimacy of familiarity.

—from the poem “Alignment” by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

Great Musician, as I settle into this Lenten season, guide my path. Give me the wisdom and the strength to leave behind the things that distract or discourage. I want more open space in my life. I want more open space for you. Amen.

—prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

Tune my heart.

Like an old violin,

like a worn down piano,

I have been left out in all manners of weather;

I have been left alone for far too long.

—from the poem “Tune My Heart” by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | @sanctifiedart

As we begin the season, let us turn inward and tune our hearts. Before an orchestra plays together, they must all tune their instruments—the cacophony of this process may be very loud and create lots of dissonance, but it’s a necessary step in the process of creating harmonies and melodies. And so, this Lent, how can you tune the instrument of your heart so that it aligns with God? | @sanctifiedart