Art & Soul post #10 by Leslie Wittenmyer–
I love nature and have always enjoyed being outside. It is where I feel closest to God, my Father. This feeling of closeness to God through His creation was one of the things that inspired me to paint The Lilies Cry Out during a season in which I was experiencing personal trials. When I paint while feeling led by Holy Spirit, it’s like a healing balm to my soul; I feel a deeply spiritual connection to God– Creator of the lilies, nature, and all things, including me. It’s amazing to me that, according to scripture, even all of His created natural world is aware of and worships Him.
When I came across the following scripture, I knew that it was the scripture to put with the lilies. I felt God whisper this into my spirit.
How many of us are in shackles? Not literal shackles, but shackles of guilt, pain, grief, unbelief, doubt, fear, sin, shame, and the list goes on. It’s easy for us to get caught up in our feelings. This makes it difficult to realize that there may be blinders on our eyes preventing us from seeing and recognizing that our enemy is using these moments to put us in the pit. If we allow these negative emotions to take over, we are like prisoners. That isn’t the place where God wants us to live. Jesus told us that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. Paul and Silas knew the goodness of God. Instead of being held captive by their circumstances or emotions, they prayed and sang hymns to God! God took mercy on them and set them free. Not only were they set free, but God was glorified and the guard and his family were brought to Christ. The Lord can do the same through us if we pray and praise Him. We show the world who God is by our actions.
God’s mercy led to physical freedom for Paul and Silas. As I was painting this canvas, I felt a different kind of freedom that I’m not even sure how to describe. It was like something was released in my soul. I felt a deep connection to God, my perspective was changed, and I felt a mental and emotional release from bondage. My hope and prayer is that God will minister to you through The Lilies Cry Out. May you be encouraged, be strengthened, and experience the same freedom I have found which He intends for us all. I also pray that you will discover your own creative process that will help you connect to God and bring healing into your life.
I feel compelled to stress that we must contend for this freedom. Our enemy comes like a roaring lion. He will kill, steal, and destroy anything that is good and comes from God. Don’t let him take this freedom from you. As Paul and Silas did, pray…and then pray some more! Reach out and praise! Praise Him through songs! Join the psalmist in saying, “Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.” (Psalm 141:2, NLT)
Jesus came to set the captives free. That means you and me! And as we are set free, it also creates a testimony to share in the world that will bring others into the kingdom of God, just like the actions of Paul and Silas brought salvation to those around them. Thank you, Lord!
I will leave you with some lyrics from a song…
“Some midnight hour if you should find
You’re in a prison in your mind
Reach out and praise, defy those chains
And they will fall in Jesus’ name.”
(I Bless Your Name, Elizabeth Goodline)
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you!
Leslie
Keeping in Faith Hope and Love is Leslie’s blog website where she shares encouragement through scripture, her artwork, and the words Holy Spirit gives her to share.
1 thought on “Art Brings Healing”
Thank you so much for sharing your artwork and the encouraging story behind it Leslie! I pray your words and artwork touch the hearts and minds of many to help bring freedom and healing!❤️