Letting Go. Oil on Board. 12x18”. 30 min.

Letting Go

Sunday, March 10, 2013

This image was initially inspired by the forming song lyrics of Brian Henderson as he shared with me on Saturday what was happening in his life. As I came to Walnut Hill’s Bethel campus on Sunday morning, I was running late (hosting family and wrangling three kids into the car alone while my wife was already at church serving), yet I was confident the morning was unfolding according to God’s will. I let go of my control and fell into God’s plan. I prayed with a dear sister Jennifer for peace and clarity, and then stood up and painted this image during the first half hour of the worship and sermon. That might be a record for my painting- God’s economy of time. Brian Mowrey’s message was about Stephen’s speech before the council that stone him in Acts 5, and was a call to our community to not be stiff necked or opposed to God’s Spirit moving in our hearts. Let go. Let God church up the fallow, hardened ground of your hearts.

I'm letting go

I'm falling in

Into the arms of love

that carried all my sin.

And God I know

You'll fill me now

As I kneel before Your feet

and humbly bow.

I'm letting go

As I fall You'll raise (lift) me up

Brian Henderson

The morning was particularly significant as it was the “sending off” of Lisa and Mike Siedlecki. Lisa is a life-long residents of the area and has been a faithful employee of Walnut Hill for over a decade. Her bold agreement to follow God to AZ for a new job opportunity was an embodied display of the very “Letting Go” that was being championed. In a special gesture during the benediction, I was able to read Brian Henderson’s lyrics and offer the painting as a gift to Walnut Hill, and Brian Mowrey in turn dedicated it to Lisa and Mike in honor of their service. I had a wonderful time describing the painting to Lisa with Brian Henderson beside me after the service, ministering hope and joy to an emotional Lisa. I loved her description of tangibly falling into God’s hands: “I am feeling every emotion- except uncertainty!” Amen. Your Father will catch you Lisa!