What is in a picture?
At times I stare at a group of brush strokes
and will myself to find the meaning
the artist so carefully portrayed.
Other times I view something
and shut my eyes tight hoping that the scene will be washed away.
Then there are those times
I ponder
looking intently
drinking in the deeper meaning behind the picture.
More often than I would like to admit my eye passes over many things and I dispose of them as unwanted, unimportant, unnecessary visual jargon.
Monday held a surprise for me.
A generous person had given some children along with my son a bracelet with symbols.
Then he explained the meaning behind each and I was surprised at the truth each little symbol held.
A heart: standing for the love of God
“For God so loved the world that He gave He only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
An X: every person does things they know to be wrong: sin
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Rom.3:23
A cross: Jesus died and rose again to pay for that sin
“…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen…” 1 Cor. 15:3b-5a
A ? : What will you do with this information? I have made the choice to follow the LORD.
“…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15b
I listened to my son talk through the pictures with me.
Smiling I hugged him as he thrilled to announce:
“This means we go to heaven!”
“Yes!” were the only words that I had.
As he proudly wears his bracelet I think to myself,
am I as happy about these pictures of truth as my little boy?
Am I willing to wear such a thing?
To answer questions and boldly proclaim:
As for me and my house we will serve the LORD?
Here is my answer:
I hope you too can walk through these symbols and see the truth, understand the gift of love, and
answer the question.
patientlyhopeful 