Galatians 5:25

A juvenile bald eagle is much different than the image most associate with the bird.  Juveniles have black beaks and their feathers, even on their heads, are mostly brown.  As the eagle matures, its beak becomes yellow and the feathers on their heads become white.  The change is gradual, but there is no fluctuation.  The eagle’s head isn’t white for a while and then transitions back to brown – it gradually becomes whiter and whiter.

The moment a Christian is born again is a beginning and not an end.  When we begin our walk with Christ – we strive to become Christ-like.  We take our walk one step at a time and direct ourselves in Jesus’ direction.  Some of our steps in our walk are solid and strong, but some steps are stumbles that we learn from and guard against repeating – even if we fail to do so. 

The imagery of this painting, like all BibplePaintings, was painted one layer at a time.  Each layer is a step towards the final concept.  Sometimes the steps don’t look right in the moment, only showing partial details that another step will show.  After each layer was completed, the canvas was turned vertical and the wet paint dripped from the imagery symbolizing stumbles.  Each layer shows more details, but the wet paint always dripped.

Christians mature spiritually like a bald eagle matures in appearance.  Although we stumble and are not perfect like the dripping paint, we strive to be Christ-like. We walk each step towards Christ Jesus!