One of the most awful feelings is not knowing what we are meant to do in life. Maybe you are feeling bored, dissatisfied, or disappointed where you are now?
For example, you may have done a course only to find it doesn’t relate with who you are or your true passion. Or you have come to stage in your life or work where you feel an emptiness; you feel stuck in a box.
Is it time for a change or to change and break out of that box mindset?
My painting here represents a key turning point in my life.
I remember having been a full-time pastor for about twelve years. I loved what I did. But I was also feeling a little detached from the outside world. I pondered and prayed, but struggled how could a pastor-artist fit the box in my situation?
Then, one day, unexpectedly my wife decided to sell some of my art, I did as a hobbyist, one day a week at a prominent city market. With my office next door, I helped during lunch times and interestingly God began to open doors to share faith to Jewish stall holders and others. Amazing, God is in this!
Around that time, I still wondered do I go further? I went to a pastor’s gathering and a prophet was speaking. He made a passing comment which I knew God was speaking directly to me. “You know, you need to happy about your life. Try to do something you love one day a week. For example, if you love painting do that!” Wow what a confirmation… “Moses what is in your hand?” And what is in yours?
Art sales showed that people loved my art from all over the world. One lady from New York wrote, “Mark Rusic’s colour palette will bring the Australian sun to any place on earth.” I received hundreds of testimonials like this one. Thank you, Jesus, you love me as an pastor-artist and my art!
I eventually met a Swiss man, who lives by Lake Geneva. It was my first international commissioned work for a collector. God helped me overcome my fears and it ended up as the centre piece of his collection.
I also gave him a prophetic poem which he read to all on the night he unveiled the painting to friends from many parts of Europe, titled, 'The Fountain of Life related to Geneva’s lake-fountain called Jet d'Eau.' (See this 4 min. video to hear my poem and journey) : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r-DY_nbjYGkhklqGQsIIKeUmBtPt-oFB/view?usp=sharing
I hope this story inspires you that God can do a new thing as we break out of our box. I’m convinced God created us to have full job and life contentment. That’s why we are called to enter God’s rest; read Hebrews chapter 4.
What I shared here was actually just the beginning of my journey. Again, I discovered I had to think outside the box and use my art for God’s glory and in ministry. There is so much more I could share about this!
However, here is some key take home value to break out of the box:
1. Take off the blinkers and get in touch with your true feelings.
2. Love and learn from people, God moves through many others; especially your wife!
3. Seek God and dream with him, He has more for you; as the bible says, “No eye has seen or ear has heard what he has prepared for those who love him.”
4. Don’t just dream but step out and act on things you know in your gut, according to who God made you to be. The fountain and ‘rivers’ flow from out of your belly, Jesus said! (See John Chapter 7, Verse 38 KJV)
5. Stay focussed and persevere to enable foundations for the things God wants to build.
Bless you my reader and fellow creatives, be released into your destiny calling, those from the east, west, north and south, drink from the fountain of God’s spirit.
Mark Rusic was born in Melbourne and has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He became a missionary to many, suffering hardship and poverty on Madura Island in Indonesia, in 1990 for about four years. He worked as a pastor-life coach with Hope International Ministries from 2002 to May 2023, playing a key role in raising up leaders and elders for the local Melbourne Hope church, which lead today. Mark has also been active in conducting yearly trips to remote Indigenous communities, bringing teams for training and outreach, which he initiated from 2015. He also established a salt and light ministry to empower saints of influence in the marketplace from 2017.
Mark is also an artist and an author and has written two books which are both a collection of his own paintings, photography, and poetry. These include ‘Iconic Melbourne of Australia’ and ‘Iconic Animals of Australia- With a voice to release your giant potential within,’ which are available now on booktopia.com.au and at leading book retailers. He has been counted among some of Australia’s best authors on several occasions through Dymocks since 2014 and continues to be a motivational speaker in various community groups, organisations, and churches.
He is currently pioneering his itinerant ministry to bless Indigenous people and empower the body of Christ, while working as an artist, author and speaker.
