The route to Bethlehem was a long and arduous one. This dangerous journey weighed in on my thoughts. Simultaneously, I was working on a painting campaign using shoes as inspiration. A young man donated a pair of old sneakers and I immediately drew parallels. Characterized by extreme wear and tear, the design element of a checkerboard square pattern excited a means to express time, difficulty, and perseverance. This laborious process is synonymous with the life of obedience and abandonment to God. Through love for Christ, we must stay the course. When you hear His call, “keep going.”