The River of Life

I have had a confusing, and scary, couple of weeks, as we all do at times, so I was happy to have a weekend where I could chill.

One of my favourite places is White River Art Gallery. I came into the art world late in my life, and have had much fun learning how to paint, and being a part of a group of other artists of varying talents and abilities. For me it is a way to relax, a counter to endless hours at the keyboard, gazing at screen.

I have learnt much from the exhibitions that Dana McFarlane, gallerist extraordinaire, puts on and the openings of new exhibitions are not to be missed. The speakers are interesting, knowledgeable, and I have learnt much about this fascinating world since moving to White River.

Saturday, I woke up early and a part of me wanted to be idle for the day, but something pushed me to get ready for the opening of Majak Bredell’s exhibition. I had seen her exhibition last year, and whilst I appreciated what she was trying to say, her work didn’t really speak to me. I guess I am a dyed in the wool Christian, and I sometimes battle with spirituality that is based elsewhere.

But this time was different. I could see what Majak was saying, and whilst she is not a Christian and makes no claim to be, I found a subtle celebration of deity in her work which spoke to me. Man reaching for the unattainable, the intricate link between earth, man, and spirit and a tenderness in the narrative she was portraying.

Three, maybe four, works drew my attention, and I knew I was going to invest in one or other. But which one? There was one, there is always one that calls a little louder than the others. It had a narrative to that spoke to my heart. I need to go to that great prophet of the Old Testament, Ezekiel to explain that pull. The story is told in Chapter 47 from verse 1 to 12, please read it, there is so much in these verses of value, and which is reflected in the painting I bought, so aptly called ‘Day’.

But I am goingto quote from Revelation 22: 1-2:

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from
the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the centre of the main street.
On each side of the river grew a tree of life bearing twelve crops of fruit,
with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for the medicine to heal the
nations. NLT

I made the decision, but still asked Dana’s advice before I approached her assistant, Debbie Rothlisberger, to put the red sticker on the label. I then found myself
telling Debbie and Casandra Jacobs, who also works at the Gallery, my interpretation of the painting, why it had drawn me: the fish in the river, the trees along
the banks, their leaves bringing sustenance and healing, the boy running with a cheetah reminding me of the promise that the lion would lie down with the lamb,
the sun and the moon, the two lights of creation that God placed in the heavens.

They were enthralled and asked that I tell my tale to Majak which I did.

She then shared that the farm she grew up on in the Free State had a river running through it, with willow trees growing along the banks. I remember those scenes and was
wondering recently what happed to all the willow trees. I think they were an
environmental no-no because they drink too heavily, rather like eucalyptus
trees. (Note to self to find out!)

I left the gallery feeling buoyed by my purchase, and the revelation of scripture I had through
this work of art.

It didn’t end there. Part of  my daily devotion is taken from Lectio 365, a study put together by Pete Greig’s 247 prayer
movement. The theme for last week was the Spirit and Water as the Lectio leads
us towards Pentecost.

And the title of the reflection on Wednesday was River of Life – this exact scripture I
had shared with the ladies on Saturday. Hhm, I think the Lord is up to
something here. The week continued and again on Saturday, the scripture I quoted
above.

Come to Sunday and I, as usual, join a group who pry before the services begin. This
week we had a visiting pastor from Zimbabwe, Smart Sabola, and he and his team
joined us. As he shared some of his heart in the meeting, both for us and for
Zimbabwe, and I listened to what the Holy Spirit was saying through others, I felt
this pressing need to share about the River of Life, the leaves for healing for
the nations, how this applied to us here in Africa, to our various countries.
There were nods, and we then prayed into this word.

And then this happened: The man from Zimbabwe took the pulpit and led us to the scripture in
Ezekiel 47 and preached on the River of Life! How amazing is our God! I sat
speechless as I listened to inspired words on how important it is for us to be
planted closely to this river, to grow strong and be the fruit and the means of
healing that God is asking of us. Such blessing, such joy in my heart, that the
Lord was affirming His word to me, reassuring me of His presence and love in my
life.

What a powerful reminder that painting will be to me of God’s love, His promise that
His refreshing, and provision, and healing, flows strongly from His throne of
grace, we need not fear in the desert places, or be overwhelmed by deep waters,
He is the River and He is life.

God be
praised!