First off, I want to thank Wes & Marie Williams, Mark Owens, Wayne Albergotti, Nicky Murphy, and the Murphy kids for so much help making one of the coolest stage designs that I have seen at Journey. I just love the look of that pallet wood and the hanging Edison bulbs.

While Nicky and I were talking through the planning stages, I was concerned that we have always used reflective materials for backdrops so that our stage lights can really pop some color on them. I just did not think that the natural, beat-up pallet wood could reflect much light at all. We both were not sure, but we pushed on because we just thought it looked amazing.

After we got part of the wall built, Wayne and I broke out some of our LED stage lights and turned on some colors. To our amazement, they reflected the colored light and still retained their natural look. What we thought was unlikely to cast a good reflection actually looked AWESOME!

God never makes this mistake. He knows that even the roughest of us, the most beat-up, the most worldly, broken sinner can be the best reflector of His love.

“This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:35

Bottom line, don’t let your past hold you back, use those rough edges to encourage and love others better. You may be better equipped to help others through the similar circumstances. Your love towards them reflects God’s love.

Richard Jacobs
Worship Pastor