Painting Creation emerging from Chaos
Featured Image: “ORDER OUT OF CHAOS”, Oil on Canvas, 30″ x 40″ by Mark Hillis
“CREATION” is a painting I did some years ago. It is a work that is drawn from the imagination, borrowing upon the theme of the first chapter of Genesis. The Bible says that the earth was “without form and void…and darkness was upon the face of the deep”.
In that scene, we see several things taking place. There is obviously chaos. Nothing had been formed so all things were in a raw state. Of course, before this, there was only emptiness…for without Him nothing was created…nothing. It all came from Him. And then it was disorganized and chaotic. Without form.
Creation comes with a Cross
I painted this imagery just to show the faint arc of the earth’s horizon beneath waves and clouds and everything just beginning to take form. Of course, I wasn’t trying to follow any certain order. I was just attempting to show the earth coming forth from the thought, the image, in the mind of God. And then I remembered the New Testament reference to Jesus, as “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. That, of course, refers to Christ on Calvary’s Cross. So I placed the bread and the cup of communion in the bottom left hand portion of the painting…because I just couldn’t separate creation from the cross. All things moved toward that event even from the beginning of creation.
Chaos Needs the Cross
But maybe your life is chaotic. Maybe you know that there’s some purpose for your life that has not yet emerged. Can’t you just hear those next words from Genesis? “And the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters, and God said…” It’s really so simple. He hovers over chaos and darkness and speaks…and when He speaks things start happening. Things start shifting. He begins bringing order to the chaos. He is now creating something beautiful! Where there is no order, there is no beauty. God hovers over chaotic, rebellious, formless lives everyday and as He hovers, if they will listen, they will begin to hear Him speak. He says “Let there be”…and YOUR LIFE begins to change. Because chaos needs what only the Cross can bring.
It is amazing how this plays out. A marriage is spiraling out of control. You see, Satan is the author of confusion…and confusion is chaotic. Division is chaotic. Conflict is chaotic. But if either person will just stop long enough to listen. Why is it that we want to cling to our independence, especially our independence of His Word, and all the while the result is that we are “without form and void….and darkness is upon the face of the deep of our lives”. So many wounds and scars could have been avoided if only we had listened to that voice that says “Let there be…” He wants to tell us what it is that we need and what will produce peace and abundant life in our marriages, in our relationships, in our families, even in the workplace. When we listen to His Voice then He can begin to order our lives in a transformative way.
Inescapable Truth
And there, in the corner of the painting, is the thing that cannot be escaped. It’s just always there. Even from the foundation of the world, HIS SACRIFICE reminds us that a great price was paid for our liberty…that’s right. Liberty. Liberty from bondage to self, bondage to tormenting thoughts, bondage to pride and arrogance, and bondage to Satan. Jesus brings freedom. Slain from the foundation of the world, He offers Himself for our brokenness. Light for darkness. Life for death. Peace in the place of chaos. So, my friend, let there be. Let there be….
Blessings,
Mark
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