By Faith

Painting | Print size: 8×10 | 2021

All children. We hold this tie as Christians. We are all the children of God.

“Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” Isaiah 56:7

All One

Painting | Print size: 8×10 | 2021

We are all ONE.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;” Psalm 133:1-2

Live Peaceably

Painting | Print size: 8×10 | 2021

We are called to peace. As far as it is in our court, we should aim for peace with all men. I think it can be easy to pick arguments, to feel offended, or to continue resentment that has been a part of a family’s heritage. But as we respect one another as made in God’s image, as we embrace the family of Christ as all one in Christ, we will find peace.

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” 1 Peter 3:8-10

ARTIST’S NOTES

In Isaiah 11:6b, we see the words “and a little child shall lead them.” If I have this right, this is speaking of a time when there will be great peace on God’s holy mountain. The child would lead the wolf, lamb, leopard, young goat, calf, young lion and fatling. All these animals–some of which would not normally harmonize, would be a peace with one another.

Sometimes, this phrase may be used (in what I think might be out of context) in situations where a child speaks wisdom or acts in a line of wisdom that adults have missed. However, we can see a gentle sort of reflection that one could take within the two. Just like in that day, a child will lead those that had once been “at war or un-harmonious” with each other, so too, a child of today can help to bring peace among the racial tensions in the world through prayer.

 May these paintings remind us to pray! In a sense, they can be like little children that lead us–a picture of what we are to do as well. To lean upward so that we will all meet in a place of peace at Jesus’ feet. For it is truly only through Christ that we will find brother can embrace brother without hatred, misunderstanding and tension. In each painting you will see a purple color coming around each child. So too, as we pray, as we seek God’s face and His answer to the turmoil of the world, we will find and bring His peace. A peace that can then bring unity no matter our background.

And rather than living in opposite worlds of color, separating backgrounds of descent and ethnicity, we will live in the Truth of God’s love. He has created us all in His own image. And for us who are His own, there is no line we can draw. We are all heirs according to the promise.

You will see on the first painting, that the light beam is much brighter and more vibrant. And the last painting, while still having a beam of light, stands out rather coldly. I hope this will be a subtle reminder that there are churches in China that are more spiritually alive than churches in America. America is in a dangerous place right now. It is easy to fall asleep spiritually. To be blinded by the world’s glitter.

Something that was not planned, but happened with these paintings, is that each one is painted on a slightly different surface. One on a flat gesso board, the other two both on a cradled board with very similar but slightly different surfaces. I think it’s neat how this also reflects our uniqueness. We are of different cultures. However, I, the painter, (in an earthly sense–God definitely answered prayer as I worked!) painted all of them. So too, God, our Maker has created all of us. While we do possess different backgrounds, cultures and colors, it doesn’t mean we are not all one. We are all one because of Who created us. All of us have the mark of His hand. The artist credit, no matter our color, our height, our culture or our language–goes back to One: God.