A painting that speaks the truth
Aug
15
Written by:
Sunday, August 15, 2010
This week I had the opportunity to participate in a painting workshop with the homeless community in Houston. All of us in one room with the same size canvas, small paints and same instructions. What we painted expressed something of our way of seeing life.
The man who painted this painting is a burn victim. He lives on the streets of Houston. We both attended an afternoon workshop for an art project for the homeless. He painted this painting – August 12, 2010 but wrote Dec. 27, 1991 on the painting.
The instructor showed us how to paint the sun and the flowers but all of us interpreted her instructions differently. The artist added clouds and the cross in the sun. He painted the world as he sees it and, in doing so, gives testimony to the reality of the goodness of God made real even in the most difficult circumstances.
Paul writes these words to the Corinthians, “For it is God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:6 – 10).
Paul goes to encourage the Corinthians to not lose heart but live with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing that the future is secure. God is preparing us for "eternal weight of glory beyond all measure."
The artist seems to understands what Paul is saying.
Is December 27, 1991 the day he suffered the burns or the day he saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus? I do not know. What I do know is that his painting caused me to ask questions about how I see the world.
Do I see the cross as the “light that shines in the darkness”?
Am I living in such a way that others see the light and life of Jesus in me?
Am I living with a settled confidence in the eternal goodness of God?
1 comment(s) so far...
Re: A painting that speaks the truth
Margaret, your blog is very interesting. I have been reading a book about philosophy and God and thought of you and your work. Going to high school in Tennessee allowed for great spirituality. Alexander McCall Smith, the Sunday Philosophy Club series, are the books. Hope you are all well. Please call me on my cell or text, 310-3597.
By EAMCKEEN on
Friday, August 20, 2010
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