Relax Into The Power Of Peace

Good morning…

After walking with a friend, she took me upstairs and showed me this painting she had been given for Christmas. Magical and mesmerizing, we discussed what we noticed in this unique piece of art. A golden heart dripping with lemon drop light. Various swirling colors, playing, mixing, blending. The movement of dark and light, muted and bright, trailing down, rising up, spreading out.

Now I revisit the picture of this painting after waking from my second sleep. Much like cloud figures expanding in the open sky, I envision a birth canal at the bottom, opening into a chalice of blood red wine, overflowing with the energy of eternal life. Swirling upward, I see arms outstretched with head held high, expanding from a shimmering heart, shedding a single teardrop of life-giving light. This painting reminds me of the mysteriously uncontainable love of our Heavenly Father, descending down to earth wrapped in skin, humbly being born a vulnerable baby, waltzing us into an intimate dance, inviting us to enjoy our “with God” life. Held and whole. Empowered, at peace. Offering us the golden thread of abundant life, the Spirit of God spirals up forever.

As we relax into a few quiet moments of visual awe, what meaning might you glean from this work of art?

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in (Ephesians 3:14-16, MSG).

…Sue…

P.S. I especially pray for the power of God’s peace to offer inner strength to the family and friends of Maryann Chapman and Jack O’Kelley as they mourn the loss and celebrate the eternal life of their loved ones today. Deep prayers are also lifted for James LeBow as this morning he has an important echocardiogram and clinic visit with his heart transplant team. If all goes well, Brooke and James plan to drive home to Atlanta from Nashville on Tuesday morning.