As a child, my maternal grandmother kept me in awe for hours as I would watch her creatively express herself through art. With each stroke of the brush or penciled line, I internally developed a deep desire to be able to do the same. The years went by and my grandmother passed on. However, as an adult, a good friend of mine taught me some basics in painting. Recently, the paints, brushes, and canvas were drawing me in once again. Bubbling up in my heart was a desire to convey on canvas the new horizons that Jesus was leading me into, and in my mind’s eye, I could see the ‘Son-rise’ with all of its vivid oranges, reds, yellows, and purples.

As I painted, I worshipped and set my gaze on Jesus and what He was doing in my life in this new day. Stepping back to admire the finished work, a good friend of mine commented, “I see Jesus.“ This baffled me, as blotches and streaks covered the canvas, and that’s all I was aware of… that is until I looked a bit closer. Sure enough, there was Jesus, wearing His crown of thorns in all of His majesty. My heart flooded with joy! How amazing that Jesus just “showed up” in my painting!

Emmanuel, God with us. Always. Forever. Sometimes we walk through dark and difficult places, this is true, but we are never alone. If we just look, we will see Him. We can always ask,“Where were You in this or that situation, Jesus? Where are You in this one? What’s Your heart in this? How do You see it? What does Your Word say? What would You do? Regardless of how I am feeling, what is the truth?”

I am currently home from Cambodia, recovering from a surgery that I thought would be a quick turnaround. It has taken much longer to heal than I had planned, and at times, I have felt discouraged with the healing process. However, I’m seeing Him everywhere… in painting, resting, and even in the tears. I’m seeing Him both in sweet times of fellowship and even when I don’t “feel” His Presence. I’m seeing Him as I cook a healthy meal and in learning new notes on the keyboard.

The painting is a visual for what I can do in the spiritual. One of my favorite Scriptures describes His ever-present companionship so beautifully: “If I go up to the heavens,You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me. Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:8-10)

So I ask myself, along with all of you… Do you see Jesus?

Note:  In the painting, Jesus is located in the upper left corner. He has a crown of thorns on and His profile is looking slightly away.

Written by: Cathy Cupp
Published on 2/16/18