Some illustrations I did for Amelia's Magazine to accompany an interview with the band. You can read it along with lots of other really cool articles here:
You can also listen to them here: http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/music/an-interview-with-the-moth-and-the-mirror-with-review-of-new-album-honestly-this-world/2011/10/24/
illustration Sarah Austin art design digital childrens illustration portrait digital stitch competition greetings card advertising Amelia's Magazine celebrity children's books christmas card craft didgital stiching handmade jewellery james and the ginat peach joey richter music puffin children's prize 2011 ycn student awards Marks and Spencer The Moth and the Mirror advertisement advertisment card children childrens book comercial competitons drawing editorials illustrators jewellery puffin starkid starkidpotter wolf in sheep's clothing
All original art work coyright to Sarah Ausitn, unless stated otherwise. Simple theme. Theme images by merrymoonmary. Powered by Blogger.
When I went to college, my friend, Eliza gave me one of the greatest pieces of advice that I ever received. She said, “When you meet a new person, ask God what role you are supposed to play in each other’s lives.”
It revolutionized the way I view relationships. While I had grown up being taught that I should label people as “Christian” or “NonChristian” and stick them into neat little boxes in my life, once I got this advice, I was set free from that. I no longer spend all of my time judging people and trying to figure out their religious beliefs or lack thereof. I spend my time getting to know them and love them, instead.
This week, a friend and I were reading Luke 10 together. In the latter part of that chapter, a religious scholar asks Jesus, “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?” And Jesus responds that he should love God with everything in him and that he should love his neighbor as much as he does himself. Jesus goes on to define “neighbor” by telling the story that many of us know as the story of the Good Samaritan…
One day, a man is traveling on a lonesome road when he’s accosted by robbers. He’s beaten and left to die. As he lies there, bleeding and dying, two religious men come upon him, but each chooses to ignore him and keep walking. Finally, a man of a different religion sees him and even knowing that they espouse different religious beliefs, he picks him up, cares for him, and takes him to get help.
I’ve been in the church my entire life. I love God and I believe in the necessity of the church. And I see the church doing so much good and sharing so much love with the world. But sometimes it doesn’t work that way. Sometimes, there are people who call themselves God’s people, who attend His church, who are more interested in judging the wounded man than in caring for him. Before they help him, they want to make sure that he’s not an alcoholic, that he doesn’t have a criminal record, that he isn’t gay, that he doesn’t come from the wrong family or the wrong side of the tracks and that he’s going to be able to pay his tithes in full and on time. And by the time they finish judging him, he’s already died of his wounds.
In this world, we are always going to be surrounded by people who are different than we are. We fear these differences—especially the ones we don’t understand or haven’t experienced before. Instead of judging people and holding them at arm’s length, we have the great opportunity to not judge them. We can choose to see the good in them and to learn about the differences that we so fear. This is where trust is built and love is shared. And this is where lives are changed… sometimes, mine.
You raised some interesting points there “Sista Sarah”.. While I do agree with you I often wonder how all of this fits into some “family” situations… Its a tough one for sure.. As always the teacher in you makes me think…
I particularly like that you based your blog on the book of Luke. Luke is my favorite of the gospels because he looks at things through the eyes of a healer (he was a physician) with a great deal of tenderness at those he observes in everyday life and those who come to him for help. I’m sure he had his judgmental times (don’t we all), but I also suspect his training as a physician and his belief in Jesus gave him the framework to work daily at being less judgmental. In fact, I’m sure he had to work at it daily because I know I have to, and somedays I have to almost wrestle it to the ground if I’m feeling a little pugnacious and holier than thou. And at other times I just have to let the “judgmentalism” wash over me and live with it for a bit before I get what it is I’m being taught. Mostly what I have received from your blog is that Jesus will walk through the thickets of judgment with us and bring us out on the other side with the right attitude and lessons learned if we let him. Bless every person alive who is fighting the good fight against being judgmental and allowing themselves to be open to the world at large.
Kerri, thank you! That’s so awesome! I know we all struggle with judgmentalism. Working for the church and being so closely involved with the church all of the time, I often struggle to not judge the church folks. But it still happens and I still have to confess it and ask forgiveness and sometimes, go to people and make things right. But my hope is that each day, I will walk more in love and forgiveness and less in judgment. Thanks again for sharing!
We’ve already discussed this, but I’m so thankful for the reminder. I find that I still struggle to NOT judge, but to be open. Some relationships have left a sour taste in my mouth. Hard as I try, I find myself still making judgements, sometimes unfair, with regard to certain people. Oh how I strive to stop that. I’m thankful for our morning fellowship and the reminders that God places in our paths each day. I’m grateful the He doesn’t judge me, based upon my mistakes or hidden pain or self-doubt. I’m blessed by His love and faith in me, each and every day, and I strive to return that love and faith, each and every day. Thank you for, once again, for sharing that love and faith with us.
Kari, I know what you mean… Once we’ve experienced a bad thing, it’s hard to get past it. For me, one example could be how when I was 18, I had two young Hispanic men attempt to snatch me through their car window at a convenience store. I managed to get away, but they followed me. It was a terrifying experience and for a time, I was scared of all Hispanic men. But God got me past it to the point that I minored in Spanish in college and now, am able to even travel to Hispanic countries, without fear. If I had allowed myself to wallow in that fear, I wouldn’t be able to help the people that I’ve been able to help. Granted, I’m not always this victorious… But I’m working on it. And I’m grateful that in this area, at least, I’ve found peace.
Archives Select Month December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009
When I was 13 years old, I stumbled across my friend, Corie, writing a letter. When I asked Corie what she was doing, she responded, “Writing a letter to Daddy God.” Those six words changed my life. And ever since, no matter where life has taken me, I’ve had a journal within arm’s reach. In March of 2009, I began to share my thoughts and lessons and prayers with you. And so, here we are. By day, I’m an administrative assistant, freelance writer and editor. I blog here at Living Between the Lines, while simultaneously living outside lines. I’m originally from the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. Today, I happily make my home in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. Join me between the lines. You’re welcome and safe within them.