We recently moved to the city and I have been stirred to reach out to people, to learn to love my neighbors, to get involved in the life of the city.  I have been inspired by Jeremy Begbie’s “Future Hope” lecture as it relates to art making as well as to engaging in “making all things new.”  

But my real longing, my real loyalty is to another city and this piece reflects that sometimes hopeful, sometimes impatient longing for that city.  There is hope, otherwise we would give up counting the days, but as the days stretch out we can be impatient, I know I am at times.  The Psalms ask several times “How long?”  How long would the enemies prevail against God’s people?  How long would God allow suffering?  How long until they saw their desires?  

The psalms validate that longing and that question as it is asked over and over again.  Faith is total, though it doesn’t have to always answer all of our questions.  We may not have immediate answers to dilemmas that face us but we are not without assurance and hope. And so at times we wait, we look and we long.

 (Mostly) found wood, old calendars, paint.  51″ x 51″

Recent international news has made me grateful for the peaceful transitions of governmental power via elections here inthe U.S. But I also have been reflecting for months on the mostly negative talk coming from Christians regarding President Obama. I didn’t vote for him and I disagree on many of his policies, but I am a Christian first and a U.S. citizen second.

This piece reflects my take on many of us in the church who look to influence our world through politics. We are not called to violence OR power. I am not opposed to Christians pursuing a life of service to community through political involvement but so called, decades old “Culture War” is largely being waged through politics and I feel like that is misguided.

I find most disturbing the Antichrist role many in the church and religious right assign to President Obama, not because that is offensive, it is and it bothers me, but worst than that is the lack of any mention of a Christ role in the story.  Jesus Christ isn’t mentioned, even the church isn’t mentioned, the only uneasy references to saviors are political players and that is what I am most concerned with.  My intention is not to engage as much in the dialogue of politics and speculate on 2012 candidates but to simply refocus my own thoughts and heart on the heart of the Gospel, the person and work of Jesus Christ, not elected, not chosen by us, but victor over death and as will be seen one day, ruler of all the earth.

The background to the ballots and bullets are bible passages that relate our spiritual battle and where our allegiance belongs. They have been cut out, as a symbol of the violence we do to the scriptures when we use them to support earthly kingdoms or ignore them to pursue power over preaching the gospel. But the lowest level has the same scripture passages still whole, shining through, because God’s word won’t fail even if we do.

Verses used
Jesus said…”No man can serve two masters” Mt 6:24
Paul told us that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” Ep6:12
He also said we “walk in the flesh but don’t war after the flesh” 2Cor 10:3

And finally, Romans 13
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

 “No one can serve two masters” Matt 6:24

Just about finished working on a piece, reflecting on my own need to “dethrone” myself (again) from the central place in my heart and life, and surrender again and trust God’s intentions for my life, versus my own designs.

During my own education and career ups and downs this year (among many great blessings, as well) I prayed, I begged, I expected, I demanded, and pretty much wore myself out looking for God’s provision (as I understood it should be). It still hasn’t come the way I demanded it, but what has come out of this time of suffering has been a keen awareness of how much I have sought to maintain control of my life, live by principles from the scriptures and with faith in God for the big stuff, and call the shots where everything else is concerned.

It hasn’t worked.

I found myself angry and chaffing at God’s wasteful (mis)management of my life, clearly I have too much to offer to be so underemployed (not to mention I hate the lack of money and prestige).

What is God thinking?

And in that, I have found the need to make a greater surrender to the One who has bought me at such a high price to Himself that I should be ashamed that I have doubted His goodwill.

God is no fool, and my life is not wasted by being entrusted to Him. Though I have been unhappy with my circumstances, as I have come to a greater surrender (one of many lifelong such encounters, I expect) there is a joy in my heart that doesn’t match my surroundings or make sense to me.

This piece was a simple reflection of that need to unseat myself from power and once again look to Jesus, my Savior and Lord, trusting not only in His love and good will, but also His grace to help me surrender afresh.

I was inspired to illustrate all this in a small space, using religious imagery (Christ knocking at the door, based on Rev 3:20), the images of revolution and overthrow, and old images I found. The verse over the heart box is from Matthew 6:24, stated above, no one can serve two masters. The ropes pulling down the king’s statue are crimson, a nod to the scarlet thread, a shadow of Christ’s blood sacrifice that saves us from our sin. It is only through the power of the cross of Christ that we can experience the power that changes us, reminding me that “all that this Grace asks, it provides.”