"Where are my Accusers?" was painted late at night, which is where most of my paintings start. As I was putting the brush to the canvas I stopped. Rememering I like to pray before each painting I asked God to use this piece of art for His Glory and to use it how ever he chooses. But I remember it was hard for me to pray just then. As I started working I really disliked the painting and just stopped and went to bed. The next day I found I was struggling with some old memories from the past till the point where I was just tired...tired of those old hurts and found that I was just ready to deal with them. I could feel the shame of my past rise like a flood ready to overwhelm me to the point where I almost pulled the plug. Then I prayerfully asked God to deal with me if only to be rid of this shameful feeling. I could feel the old demons scream "No! Too shameful! Keep it hidden! As soon as I felt the stuggle I thought "The Lord knows anyway". "I am ready to bring this into His Light." I could feel the peace almost like light on my back. I tore into God's word and He led me to these words.
Luke 12:3
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
3 What you say in the dark will be told in the light. And what you whisper in a private room will be shouted from the top of the house.”
Oh whoa!... does this mean people will know what I have done. As soon As I felt my heart wanting to cover everything up again Jesus reminded me of the time the adulterous women was brought before Him. Which I looked up in John chapter 8. It was like I read it for the first time with my sin being "the one" being accused.
John 8:7-12
New Living Translation
7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
I didn't come back to this painting for three days and when I did finished it I found I still did not really like it. I believe my dis-like comes from the fact that the women is still on her knees in shame. So I painted "Worthy To be Praised" before I ever signed "Where are my Accusers?"
Jesus does not want us to live in shame, nor in darkness, He wants us to live and live life in all the fullness He has to offer. I urge you to pull out the things hidden in darkness.
Lord, Thankyou for the warm light surrounding me that exposes the darkness and eliminates it. Thankyou for the forgiveness you offer and what you did on the cross for forgiveness of my sins. Help me to walk in living light. Amen
