Crossroads of Intimacy
Painted in Seoul, South Korea, at the New Seasons Conference, January, 2014
I have been many things: but above them all, I keep hearing a voice calling me away. I have walked out many callings, activated my gifts in many ways, but always I keep being interrupted by an invitation, calling me higher. I love to be busy about my father's work--I am a pretty good "Martha", but always I am hearing a whisper, a romantic whisper, and gentle laughter in the room where Mary sits at Jesus feet; and I hear a love song, calling me away. I have searched for acceptance through performance; but I keep getting invitations in my mail, inviting me to dancing lessons, inviting me to become a bride. I keep hearing the still small voice of the Lover of my soul, saying to me:
"My beautiful one, arise, come away with me."
Song of Songs 2:10 (This is the text painted in Korean on the right in the painting.)
At the end of everything we could ever attempt to be, in the world, in the church, in our public and private lives, there is eventually one identity that God is going to keep inviting us to take up: that is the identity of being a lover, a lover of God, a lover of His presence. It is more than a nice concept; it is more than a simple shift in our thinking. Some people are uncomfortable with the vulnerability that the divine romance requests. It is easier to think of being a worker, a servant, a laborer in the yolk. But the truth is, when Yeshua returns, He is not returning for servants. He is not returning for the church. He is not even returning for disciples, nor for sons and daughters. He is returning for His bride. So you can put it off until He comes again if you wish. But eventually, you too are called to become a lover!
This painting is a love note, an invitation to spiritual intimacy; the invite comes amidst the pressing hustle and rush and monochromatic doldrums of the kingdoms of this earth. This heavenly love note is an invitation to the vibrant life that is only available in the arms of this Lover of our souls.
To illustrate the humble response of childlike faith that Divine romance inspires, I have painted 2 young people astride a donkey, following the lead of the Holy Spirit Dove, en route to encounter with Jesus.
All the color of real life is only found in His arms. And in the middle of our frantic life of same-ness, there comes this wild, scandalous, colorful love note, personally addressed to us, containing an invitation to REAL, ABUNDANT life:
"My beautiful one, Come away with me!"
"My beautiful one, arise, come away with me."
Song of Songs 2:10 (This is the text painted in Korean on the right in the painting.)
At the end of everything we could ever attempt to be, in the world, in the church, in our public and private lives, there is eventually one identity that God is going to keep inviting us to take up: that is the identity of being a lover, a lover of God, a lover of His presence. It is more than a nice concept; it is more than a simple shift in our thinking. Some people are uncomfortable with the vulnerability that the divine romance requests. It is easier to think of being a worker, a servant, a laborer in the yolk. But the truth is, when Yeshua returns, He is not returning for servants. He is not returning for the church. He is not even returning for disciples, nor for sons and daughters. He is returning for His bride. So you can put it off until He comes again if you wish. But eventually, you too are called to become a lover!
This painting is a love note, an invitation to spiritual intimacy; the invite comes amidst the pressing hustle and rush and monochromatic doldrums of the kingdoms of this earth. This heavenly love note is an invitation to the vibrant life that is only available in the arms of this Lover of our souls.
To illustrate the humble response of childlike faith that Divine romance inspires, I have painted 2 young people astride a donkey, following the lead of the Holy Spirit Dove, en route to encounter with Jesus.
All the color of real life is only found in His arms. And in the middle of our frantic life of same-ness, there comes this wild, scandalous, colorful love note, personally addressed to us, containing an invitation to REAL, ABUNDANT life:
"My beautiful one, Come away with me!"