I begin this reflection with a disclaimer. I am a visual artist. I generally don’t write blog posts. But I had a wonderful conversation about my art and life and my newest venture into art projection exhibits with a Khora co-founder, who encouraged me to write this blog. As someone with ADHD and dyslexia, this has been a hard but good time of reflection as I tried to organize my thoughts.
The heart of my reflection is this: If we let God be in our lives, where He is healing and encouraging and mending us, He has a great journey for us. At times in my life I felt like there’s no way this part of my life could be useful or redeemed. But God makes a way to heal and restore what was broken.
A great journey awaits us all, if we are willing to say yes. This does not mean all fear and anxiety is gone. The road may be narrow, and friends and family may not always understand. But if it is the way God wants you to go, then it is the best way.
I’m so grateful that God has sent my family and me to Scotland for the past seven years. The journey with God continues, and He is gracious, generous and kind. God has opened doors for me to be a children’s book illustrator for four different titles. And now I am creating a meditative art projection exhibit based on the Psalms for churches around the world. I could not have dreamed of these things for my life years ago.
I don’t know a better way to describe my journey than by sharing excerpts of my graduation speech at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary’s senior banquet in 2017:
5 years ago, I was a mailman, a college dropout, afraid of reading books, and broken by life.
But these were not the plans God had for me.
When I was a little boy, I had dreams of becoming an artist and an educator.
I discarded those dreams for more practical things.
I lived a life that was safe.
I was not asking God if that life matched His or my desires.
Like Moses, who fled his life, dreams, and mistakes, I lived in a wilderness of my own.
I worked as a handy man for commercial buildings.
I worked at a nail salon.
I worked on roofs and AC and heater units
I was a letter carrier for USPS.
God started to open my eyes to his power and his love for me.
He started to heal my heart and pried my hands from the dream of security.
We went on a journey to Boston.
I have to thank my wife, Sarah, for supporting me and encouraging me even when I thought I was not enough. She saw more in me than I could see.
God saw more in me than I could see.
When I started my seminary journey, the last time I was in a classroom was 10 years prior. I was so afraid of reading. I have ADHD. When I heard Old Testament Survey was mad hard, I got scared. And I didn't even show up to class. I was encouraged to try again, thanks to Gide…
Like Moses, God does not throw out old experiences. He repurposes them. I remember Mondays as a letter carrier was the worst day. I would have to sort out 70 to 100 boxes and then deliver that mail. Piece by piece. Box by box. I did the same in my classes. Page by page. Lecture by lecture. Now here I am. I sometimes forget that I have ADHD…
Through these people and through my theological studies, God unearthed my childhood joy of learning. My professors have all been so gracious and encouraged me to learn. Just like a good sculptor, Jesus and all these people and experiences were carving me more into the image of God. The imago dei. I am blessed to have studied here.
In conjunction with my life as a student, God also unearthed an old dream of being an artist. He placed opportunities to create and teach at churches, parachurch ministries, local community events and commission works.
God has not only opened doors for art, but I am now leading leaders and ministers in evangelism through the arts.
My friend Dr. James Choung, an alum of GCTS, says that the previous generation asked the question of "what is real" and "is God real?" The one after that asked, "what is good?" and "is God good?" This Instagram, art, and music aware generation is asking the question of "what is beautiful?" I get to show them, through words, deeds, and pictures, that God is indeed beautiful.
I may not know what next year may look like but I trust in a God who has good things for his children.
We are all walking into a world that wants to crush us. Crack us and even break us. But God is always there to heal us, hear us, see us, walk with us and love us. In Psalm 18:19 the author writes, "He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." We are His delight and we need to know that to be effective ministers of the good gospel.
So let us be just as Joshua 1:9 calls us to be: strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
God is good.
I once was a blue-collar laborer without any dreams.
God has led me to green pastures.
Now I am an artist that loves to preach.
I once was battered by life and damaged.
God has healed my wounds.
Now I have received Jesus' shalom and can invite others into the same.
I once was a college dropout.
God journeyed with me.
Now I am graduating with both my bachelor’s and my master’s degrees
and I am speaking to you.
May we all jump into the faith journey God has called us to be a part of.
May we know we are loved, cherished and forgiven wherever we are in Jesus' name.
I pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Amen.”
Check out and support Shin’s incredible art projection exhibit based on the Psalms for churches around the world. Deep Calls To Deep brings immersive digital projection art into historic churches across the UK and Europe, creating a visual bridge for a biblically unfamiliar generation. By transforming sacred spaces with digital stained glass and large-scale projections, artist-missionary Shin Maeng invites church communities to open their doors and spark meaningful conversations about faith. Donations fund art creation, equipment, travel, and the artist's salary to sustain this cross-cultural mission.
