The Dawn Of All

Chapter 4.5

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20

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The soft buzz of brushes on canvas filled the small art studio. It was a quiet evening, and the golden light from the setting sun filtered through the large windows, casting warm tones over the scattered paints, easels, and half-finished artworks that surrounded Chris and Luda. The two artists had been sharing this space for years, their friendship growing as they exchanged techniques, ideas, and stories. Despite their different styles—Chris with his abstract, vibrant colors and Luda with her calm, realistic landscapes—their passion for art connected them deeply.

Chris was a bold spirit, someone whose imagination ran wild. He was never afraid to push the boundaries, to test new colors and unusual patterns. Luda, on the other hand, was more reserved. She found beauty in details, in the quiet tones of nature, and her work reflected her calm, grounded personality. They balanced each other perfectly; Chris pushed Luda to explore new territories, while Luda taught Chris to appreciate simplicity.

As the evening wore on, they worked in silence, each absorbed in their piece. Suddenly, Chris broke the silence, his voice thoughtful.

"Luda," he began, pausing his brush strokes, "do you ever feel like there's something more we should be doing with our art? "

Luda looked up from her canvas, her brush hovering in midair. "What do you mean? "

Chris set his brush down and looked out the window, his gaze distant. "I mean, we're creating beautiful things, and that's good. But sometimes I wonder if we could use our art for something more. Something... bigger than ourselves."

Luda tilted her head, intrigued. "Go on."

Chris sighed, searching for the right words. "I met this guy a few weeks ago—his name was Mark. He had this energy about him like he was on a mission. He talked about Jesus, about sharing love and hope with people. He kept saying that we're supposed to 'go out' and spread this message, that it's our purpose to share this light with others. And, I don't know... it got me thinking."

Luda listened carefully, absorbing Chris's words. "Do you feel like that's what we're supposed to do with our art? Share that message? "

"Maybe," Chris replied, his gaze shifting to her. "I mean, we put so much of ourselves into our work. What if we could use it to reach people, to bring a little hope into their lives? Art can speak to people in ways that words can't."

Luda thought about this, looking down at her canvas—a quiet landscape of a mountain lake, the water reflecting the colors of dawn. "It's a beautiful idea," she admitted. "But it's also a big responsibility. To share a message like that... it's not something to take lightly."

Chris nodded. "I know. But think about it—our work could be more than just paintings on a wall. It could be a way to make people feel seen, loved, and understood. Isn't that what faith is about? Reaching people where they are and showing them they're not alone?"

Luda looked at him, her eyes softening. "You're right, Chris. But where would we even begin? Art galleries? Exhibits? "

Chris shook his head. "Maybe not. I was thinking about something more... personal. Not just hanging our work in a gallery and hoping people feel inspired, but going out, bringing our art to them, meeting people where they're at."