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The events surrounding
9/11 and the subsequent war, began to stir embers within …I could feel
overwhelming emotions that “cried out” to be expressed. The illustrations
that ensued surprised me; I did not realize that kind of ability was there.
I had been gifted to express word pictures quite well; however, this was a
“new thing”. Isa 43 says, “Behold I will do a new thing.”
As I pondered the
events and effects of 9/11, I felt the Lord wanting to seize the moment to
expose His desires and feelings. The news media was projecting doom, gloom,
hopelessness …nothing that would bring healing, hope, or a sense of
security.
I began to allow God to
work through me. I never realized that the illustrations would continue
beyond the initial Tribute Collection. I now know that He used the first
collection as a catalyst to stir more within me. I began to be able to see
how to illustrate dreams and revelation that had been nurtured within me;
waiting to come out. Some of the illustrations are very simple on the
surface, yet have lasting impact. People connect with different
illustrations; it is very interesting to observe which ones will appeal to
whom.
As I was thinking about the phrase
“rendering justice”, “Renderings” came as the name of the collection.
Determining who deserves justice and how it should be rendered lies within
the perception of an individual. Artwork or words are rendered and
interpreted much the same. The pieces bring healing to broken hearts and a
sense of security in the midst of troubled times.
In biblical times, people practiced the
custom of rending their garments; it was an outward sign of an inward
expression of mourning or sorrow. Yet in Joel 2, God says, “Rend your
hearts, not your garments”.
Now more than ever, it is important for
each of us to rend or render (in a positive manner) the breaking and tearing
that we have felt in our hearts. Ironically, some antonyms of the early use
of the word “rend” are …reunite, unite bind, secure, mend, and heal. May
the “Renderings of the Heart” Collections bring healing and security… may
they unite or reunite you with your hope, faith, and destiny. As we rend and
render together ...may these expressions serve to accomplish the exact
opposite of what the terrorist intended |
