The Journey

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Psalms 57:1
I had started this painting in 2014 as my husband, daughter and I were going through a lot of difficult circumstances. It was really the first painting I had started after I fell and received a severe concussion. So much was happening to us at that time, that we called it our "Abram and Sarai's Journey of the Unknown". The reference to Abram and Sarai is from the Old Testament, when God first called them to follow Him. Later God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. They had no pictures to look at to see where He wanted them, no GPS for navigational means but just the Word of the Lord telling them to go and they DID! Such faith they had. It was not always perfect but they still obeyed, most of the time. God was faithful to them and kept His promises.
We still feel as if we are on this journey, not knowing where God is leading us, where He wants us to live or what His plans for us are; but as I would work on this painting, I would pray, seeking the Lord's direction for our lives. I feel that it is only fitting to title it "The Journey".
Whenever I do a painting or drawing, I seek God's throne first before I even place the pencil or paint brush on my paper or canvas. As I work on it, I am constantly thinking about what things in the piece could point to the Lord. You see, whatever I do whether in my art or just in my everyday life, I want to glorify my Lord. He gave His life for me, I should want Him to be glorified in my life. Just like Jesus would tell parables to give a picture to what He wanted people to learn and understand; I want the pictures I create, to tell the story that Jesus wants people to see and understand.
In this painting, the waves crashing around the rocks along with the thorns in between them represents the trials or storms in our lives. Jesus is represented by the seagull. The seagull is protecting its eggs, making sure nothing hurts them. The eggs, of course, represent my husband, daughter and I as we are on this unknown journey. Through each circumstance we have faced, He has been there protecting and guiding us. Through the course of this piece it has been a reminder to me of God's protection and provision in my and my family's' life.
Our journey is not complete just as those eggs have not hatched. My Heavenly Father sees the whole picture of our lives and He watches over us during every aspect. I will continue to trust His heart as we travel "The Journey" He has set before us, for His wings are my refuge!
What journey are you on? Are you leaning on God or are you leaning only on yourself? I'm choosing to be under His wings of protection!
My prayer is that the Master Artist-God, is exalted in this painting for it is He who has guided each paint stroke on this canvas!