Pastor Tom compared Paul’s life to leaving an etch—a permanent mark carved into history. An etch is lasting, while a sketch is only a rough draft, something that can be reshaped and refined. Our own lives are sketches in progress, a journey of sanctification where God continues to refine us day by day.

Even when life feels difficult—like trying to draw a perfect shape on an Etch A Sketch—we are still called to live with eager expectation and hope. Just as Paul’s etch still impacts the world today, our faithfulness leaves a lasting mark for the Kingdom.

Pastor Tom also pointed us to the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s death in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. Each book describes the trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus, but John especially highlights the victory of the cross and the “why” behind it.

When Jesus gave His last breath on the cross, He left the greatest etch of all—an eternal mark of salvation, victory, and love. Even a Roman soldier who once beat Him was moved to say, “Surely this was the Son of God.”

We are called to live our lives in such a way that, no matter how rough our sketch may feel, Christ will say, “The etch you left is amazing.”

Philippians 1:20 

As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.