Before I became an English major, I was an art major. I learned about the art term still life and how to sketch one. A still life is a collection of objects arranged for an artist to observe and draw. The objects are still, they simply exist.

And I began thinking about how people can do the same thing. We can simply exist, but not truly live. So many things can hinder us from living: fear, hurt, disappointment, circumstances, and so much more.

Then I thought about how God gives us true life and a full life through salvation in His Son, Jesus.

So, what happens when a still life moves?

What happens when someone, that has been stuck, begins to overcome fear and whatever else has been keeping them from truly living?

That is what inspired this poem.

When a Still Life Moves is a throwback poem I wrote years ago, inspired by my art background and my reflections on what it means to move from simply existing to truly living.

And perhaps sometimes the greatest movement begins when we realize that God has called us to more than just exist.

When A Still Life Moves

When a Still Life Moves; God’s work of art no longer stands still.

It is revived and alive to the touch; Its spirit, you can feel.

It is lifted and free; Motivated and able to breathe.

It is patient and knows when to yield; for it has learned to be still.

When a Still Life moves, It enters a new season.

It has discovered its purpose, and embraced the Creator’s reason.

It changes the nature of the picture; Its colors become richer.

When a Still Life moves, It gives a new meaning to the space it occupies.

It is not limited or bound to one site.

It follows its heart and allows its imaginations to take flight.

A Still Life begins to move with time.

And can no longer be simply defined.

It moves past the fears and the doubts.

It perseveres and knows what it is about.

The light doesn’t just shine upon it, but through it.

And it attracts life to it.

When a Still Life moves,

Its laughter is like a bouquet of joy.

Its smile is like a child who is fixed upon a new toy.

It lives each day renewed.

When a Still Life moves,

True existence and living we choose.