The Grungy Deacon logo is a symbol that I created to depict my “jagged journey of faith” in Jesus, with the lines being my initials “MMW”, continuously connecting in two abstract circular shapes. Two annular timelines; one before I accepted Christ as my Savior, existing in prideful ignorance (outer circle) and one after being born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8) becoming a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21), which is the inside smaller circle signifying how I’m now closer to God at the center. The center is blank representing Jesus as the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) who we as fallen human beings can’t look upon and live (Exodus 33:20). God is too infinitely glorious, His presence a blinding light (Acts 9:1-18) and a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).
The color pink illustrates bright things in life that I love like my daughter Lilly (who made me a Dad in 2018), concert lights, fireworks and sunsets to name a few. The contrast with black captures in essence major themes I’ll be writing about like “good versus evil”, “light versus darkness”, “new versus old”, “spiritual warfare” and the ups and downs of life, which I intended to show with each point and dip. Moments of great joy and celebration like getting married or welcoming a new baby into the family are the mountaintops, but then there’s the dark and deep sorrow-filled pits of addiction, grief, loss, pain and tragedy that we’re inevitably faced with because of sin aka “spiritual cancer” in the world (Genesis 3).
Like the twisted crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head by Roman soldiers before His crucifixion, nonlinear paths are the paths to Immanuel, a God always with us, who loves us unconditionally and is in steadfast pursuit of our hearts. Even when faced with unexpected curveballs and sometimes seemingly hopeless trials, we’re instructed to hold onto our faith more precious than gold that’s tested by fire (1 Peter 1:7) and run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Following Jesus of Nazareth who was nailed to a cross for our sins and “walking in the spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25) is not only difficult, but impossible without Him as our Good Shepherd leading us in front and preparing a place for us in advance (John 14:2).
At times it can be confusing, discouraging, lonely and scary trusting in our resurrected Lord who dwells in unapproachable light and who we cannot visibly see yet (Timothy 6:16). But His word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), which He graciously offers us as a weapon to fight back against the attacks of Satan, our mortal enemy and the father of lies (John 8:44). The righteous road believers travel on requires many things as we stumble forward towards the hope and promise of salvation found only in His name (Acts 4:12). What I’ve described before as looking like a ball of barbed wire or an explosion, this logo embodies what my “jagged journey of faith” has felt like trying to abide in Christ every step of the way.
From long battles with my health to losing many close friends over the years and everything in between, I discovered that it takes bravery, determination, fortitude, grit, perseverance and resiliency to be His disciple, which eventually reaps the fullness of joy and peace for “those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25). Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the firstborn of all creation, with us from beginning to end, who fearfully and wonderfully made us in His image and who promises us everlasting life in Heaven if we believe in Him “by grace through faith” (Revelation 22:13; Colossians 1:17; Psalm 139; Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 2:8-9).
When you see this logo, know that it’s an emblem of faith pointing to the cross and an invitation for every anxious, broken, doubtful, grungy, imperfect and/or unworthy person, just like me, to not be afraid and to enter into a relationship with The Most High King.