John 1: The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot put it out.
I painted this picture when invited to paint picture with theme LIGHT for Spotlight magazine... As magazine arrived to our parish, our vicar Murray suggested to use my painting for the front sheet of songs and prayers for Carol's service and based his sermon and reflection on the bible reading and painting. I was not able to attend Carols service and so I was very encouraged when Murray later emailed me his sermon:
"the picture was painted by Jana, a member of St Paul’s and it is a visual expression of these words:
"the picture was painted by Jana, a member of St Paul’s and it is a visual expression of these words:
His life gave
light to all
people. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has
never put it out.
The
light – in the form of a Christmas star – is shining into the
darkness,
dispelling our fears and forebodings.
And
this is not just something that happened long ago – it is
happening today – as
shown by the houses either side of the picture – they put it
into today’s context. It is not just something that happened
2000 years ago, it is happening today.
And
as the light shines on us we begin to reflect the light of
God’s glory. You can
see the faces shining with reflected
light. This is what
happens when people
see God at work in our lives.
And
if you haven’t yet come to the light you will have probably
have seen God at
work in the lives of those who have opened themselves to him. They won’t be perfect, we
are not, I am not,
but we seek to allow God’s light to shine in us and through us
as we live.
And
all that is required is for us to open up to God – signified
by the open hands
at the bottom of the picture.
We are to
open up to God and his love. That
is the
first vital step.
Not
that hard to do, but a life transforming step.
And
then we begin to follow the path towards the light. See the footprints
stating in the brown at
the bottom and leading off towards the light.
That journey is a journey with God and towards God. It is a glorious journey,
though it will be
hard and difficult at times.
But
despite the hardships we will know where we are going, there
will be purpose
and meaning, God’s help all the way and an amazing
destination...."
