Make Room
July, 2023
In January 2023, we had several visiting individuals give a word that we were to "make room" in the church. We had simultaneously begun a building campaign to raise funds for a new building as we were outgrowing our old one, particularly with regard to our children's ministry. During Wednesday morning intercessory prayer several weeks later, I felt like the Lord gave me a picture of people seated at a table, eating and drinking with the concept of "making room." I felt like He led me to the following scriptures as reference:
Luke 13:29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
Isaiah 43:5-7 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; | will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth-Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."
Isaiah 43:21 This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.
As I prayed about the painting and began looking for people as references, I found myself drawn to painting children. I believe this is both logically indicative of the expansion of children's ministry as the next generation, as well as representative of how we should approach Him and one another in brotherly or sisterly love (Matthew 18:3-6; Hebrews 13:1), making room for the new. This is represented by the chair proclaiming "your seat," letting each person who walks through our doors know that they are welcome to come to the table to break bread (Luke 14:7-15) and drink (John 7:37-39).
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 4:14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
Matthew 10:42 "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
"Make room" is written in the notes of worship being poured out. While worship is often seen as a song, the highest form of worship is obedience (John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.). This is where we are commanded to love one another and make room for others as they come to the table ... to make room for the next generation ... and to make room for one another as the Lord changes and grows us. Thank you for the opportunity to paint this. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me to create it.
RM