A Follower of Christ First

CONFESSION #1: I forget that I'm a follower of Christ first and a creative person second.

So here's my reminder:

Three years ago, if you had asked me to describe myself with an adjective, I would have said the word "creative" without a thought. 

My identity was that of an artist. 

My life consisted of making short films late into the night (not much different from now), writing stories and novels, acting in plays and musicals, singing in choirs, choreographing dances with my friends, sewing clothes and purses, reading books, drawing people, and watching more movies than I could count.

I lived and breathed art. I created things and enjoyed created things.

My biggest dream was to be the next James Cameron (the director, writer, and editor of Titanic and Avatar). All I wanted in life was to create and to receive praise for my creations.

But three years ago, my life changed drastically.

On a November night in 2011, I watched The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and I had an encounter with the Living God that left me on my knees and in joyful tears. That night, I gave my life to Jesus Christ and believed in him as my Savior and Redeemer. 

The old Madi died, and a new Madi was born.

I became a Christian and that changed everything. 

Three years later: if you ask me to describe myself with an adjective, my response is very different.

My identity is found in the person of Jesus Christ.

My life consists of some of the same things from three years ago. I still stay up late working on films. I still watch movies, read books, and enjoy singing. 

But I now live and breathe the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. I still create things and I enjoy created things, but my dreams for life are about creating things for God's glory instead of my own fleeting glory. 

This is the foundation of the next 31 days. I'm just a girl that loves Jesus and enjoys making art. I am a follower of Christ first and a creative person second.