We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bare, Raw a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Bare, , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

This is a really beautiful question. And actually, it’s a rather full question. The kindest thing by far anyone has ever done for me has to be, Jesus saving me. One perfect man, that was completely God took on everything that was too great for me. He took on everything that was too scary for me, everything that was too deadly for me, including my sin; And He endured, just for me to be saved; Just so He could be with me.

It shows how much He loves me, and how much He’s dedicated to me; A love so great it’s hard for me to fathom sometimes. I think the story we share is so special to me because it shows the steadfastness of God. He keeps coming back for me. Everyday, I’m reminded of just how much He loves me. Good days and bad. And each day I’m reminded just how much I need Him. In a world where it’s almost hard to acknowledge that you need another human being; Jesus has made me feel so safe in His presence that I don’t fear being needy for Him. Its truly the purest form of love.

Bare, , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The simple answer to how I ended up here is that I fell in love. I fell in love with Jesus and felt like I just had to show other people. Not because it was a prize and because I was automatically made better; But because He was good. I knew His love was real. And I knew the world needed it. We share so much. So much that isn’t helpful, but sometimes hurtful. I felt like it was right, that I’d take up my portion and do what He’s called me to do. And that’s display His love.

I think sometimes in the past I’ve had this insecurity of feeling like I’m not doing enough. In a world that craves the most, I like more simple things. And it was almost like I was starting to feel shame for it. Till I was reminded my worth isn’t in my works. It makes my heart full to think about the portion I’m able to share with the world because that’s His grace.
I get to talk about the person I love most. And it’s not fleeting, He’s eternal. He’s good. He’s never changing, He’s trustworthy; He Himself embodies Truth. I was created in God’s image, in His likeness; The same God who created the heavens and the earth, created me. That fact that He calls me worthy and He delights in me simply makes it the truth. I don’t have to prove that. I just have to do my part, and be faithful to what He’s called me to. And He’s calling me to Himself. He’s calling all of us to Himself.

I want people to know God is there for you. He hears you. He sees you. He’s a very present Father. The more you read the Word of God, the more you commune with God, the more you pray; God is faithful to hear you. He wants a relationship with His creation.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think getting up after falling in the faith has been one of the things that’s greatly helped me regain my strength. But maybe just enduring pain and affliction in general has helped me, because if I stop walking, I’ll never make it to my destination. My worry, and my insecurity isn’t enough to hold me down in the presence of the one who saved me. Looking away from the things that made me stumble in the first place, and fixing my eyes back on Jesus has always been the greatest solution. It’s Him who continues to keep me. It’s Him who continues to give me strength. It’s Him who gives me comfort and reminds me that things are gonna be okay. It’s Him.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My overall, most important goal and desire is to show people the goodness of Jesus. Through the way I live, through the way I love, with how I handle affliction, with how I grow in my faith; It needs to point back to Him who lives on the inside of me. As a believer, I have the privilege, the beautiful gift of walking around and doing life with His spirit. That’s a gift; A gift I never want to lose or take for granted. And it’s also not just a gift that’s for me; It’s for people. My hope is that people could witness the love that’s found me and known me, and that they’d desire the same Love who has a name.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/at_b_r
• Other: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2HFNK9FB3YL6G