Art has always been a powerful way to express emotions. I want to show you some of my art. It tells a story. My story. Maybe this art helps expiate pain enough to allow healing. Maybe. But it points to a certain hope found in Jesus.
For me, the Bible is the supreme standard of how we are to know God and His message of reconciliation. But as I study the Bible I have come across potent passages that resonate strongly with me. And I find it a great way to explain this mix of personal experience and Biblical exegesis through art.
The Wall is a metaphor for pain. In a marathon, a runner fears “hitting the wall.” That is the point in a 42km marathon when you are feeling crushed, the taste of salt and pain is strong. The Wall is a cold barrier, an adversary without compassion. To push through this barrier has become a metaphor for life.
I invited New Zealand artist Jared Diprose to create this sculpture to expresses this journey. Moving past this Wall means crying to God for hope and raising eyes towards Him. Psalm 121 calls us, when we encounter the Wall, to raise our eyes to the Lord. He does not slumber but is completely willing and able to shepherd you through the deepest rejection and darkest times. His care, His providence and His love provide direction when in the fog of despair. C. S. Lewis explains, “Don’t let your happiness depend on something you may lose.” Dealing with pain is part of life. We must work through it. But Jesus is the true Rock in which we can find refuge.
The rock of this sculpture has already lived another life having come from a demolished building. It is symbolic of giving old things a new purpose. The sculpture looks incomplete with many chips to be taken away, particularly around the eyes. It is a man taking shape. But as Diprose explains, “God was saying in that moment that in our states of incompleteness before God we are complete.”
The passage that inspired him was Philippians Chapter 1 verse 6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Jared’s Facebook link at http://jareddiprose.co.nz/
Jeremy Dover is a former sports scientist and Pastor
Jeremy Dover's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover.html
Jeremy Dover is a former sports scientist and Pastor
Jeremy Dover's previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover1.html
And https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover.html
