Two Roads
Canvas 20” x 24”
Time: Approx. 2 hours on January 6th, 2019
Cost: $1,500
Artist Statement
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. So that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2nd Cor. 5:21 (NIV)
Pastor Doug talked about his lifelong journey out of performance into grace through The Two Roads story from The Cure by John Lynch. In high school Doug awoke to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and chose to accept the gift of salvation. The path forward seemed clear and exciting: “Pleasing God” in return by going to Bible college. The entrance sign to this attractive building, however, read: “Self Effort” and opened to “The Room of Good Intentions” where everyone looked perfect and put together. Doug eventually got to the point of exhaustion and emptiness. Still stuck in the same old patterns of sin, Doug realized underneath masks of perfection, almost everyone around him was stuck too. Tired of pretending, he left and tried the “Path of Trusting God.” It was a boring-looking path that lead to a building with a low hanging entrance and sign that read: “Humility,” and opened to “The Room of Grace.” In this space, people were real, imperfect, yet full of joy; open and vulnerable with each other. Here the main thing was relationship with God, not achieving something for God. In this space Jesus stands side by side with us, looking at the mess of our sin and says, “You are my CHILD, you are a SAINT, I have made you ONE with me! So, let’s clean this up TOGETHER!”
Image: Lush green reminds me of the reality that everything finds its form in Jesus. The storm coming in from the sea echoes my battle with sin. The Pleasing Path is alluring and well paved, leading to a sturdy, prominent structure--evoking my longing for safety and control. The Trusting Path is barely visible, leading to a moss covered shack, precariously built on a cliff. I flinch in fear! I turn to the right, but Jesus beckons me back! “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NIV)