God's Everlasting Word

This Art reflection was written for the Gathering House Church in Spokane Washington 

and presented during the service on March 10th 2019  You can order a copy of this paining by Danny Hahlbohm at http://www.inspired-art.com/gallery_7/Gods_Everlasting_Word.html

http://www.inspired-art.com/gallery_7/Gods_Everlasting_Word.html

A Painting by Danny Hahlbohm 

Art Reflection by Margot Cioccio

This image is from a painting by Danny Hahlbohm called God’s Everlasting Word. On youtube there is a video in which Danny shares in his personal testimony about his very first encounter with God while in the military. He had been suffering for days with a severe migraine. Nothing he tried had brought about any relief. In his desperation and pain he cried out to God to help him. To his surprise this God he didn’t even know answered. The thick English fog out side his barracks somehow in that instant parted and he was able to see the night stars in the heavens above. In that moment he was also instantly cured of his migraine. He said that it seemed as if the migraine which to him felt like death was so small as if it were a bit of lint that God flicked off His heavenly sweater.  He was so amazed that he had actually encountered God. He now knew God was real but he didn’t know anything about Him. He goes on to share how he visited all kinds of churches and kept trying to read the Bible but none of it made much sense to him. After searching for months he finally gave up and went on with His life. He says later that He didn’t find God - God found him. 

Sometime later His cousin Albert came to visit. Both had gotten into all kinds of trouble in their younger years. It seems that Albert had given his life to Christ and was excited to share his relationship with Jesus with his cousin. That evening Danny alone in his room asked Jesus to be his Lord and savior. The next day he told Albert and they rejoiced together. Albert encouraged Danny to start reading the Bible. Danny notes that what had previously been a confusing jumble of words now made sense to him. With no training or help other than from the Holy Spirit be began reading and understanding and growing in the Lord.  

Driving home from working at a local garden center. He was so full of the love of God and the Holy Spirit that he wanted to do something for God. He asked the question Lord, what can I do for you? The answer he heard was use your talent. His talent was his painting, which had been mostly landscapes and flowers up to that time. That evening he painted a picture of the face of Jesus. He said it was the first painting that he didn’t paint. He had no idea what he was doing he was just moving the brush. Since that time he continued to paint for the Lord. Danny brought his bit of talent and has watched as Jesus has multiplied it to feed and inspire others for His glory. 

He writes in his bio “I answer to no man, only my King, and I report to Him daily each morning and throughout the day. When asked to paint, I paint. When asked to write, I write. When asked to pray for other brothers and sister I have not met or known, I pray. This is my calling, this is who God created me to be and to perform as. I shall give the King, that which He asks of me everyday of the life He has granted me. This is who I am, and none other.”

Now that you’ve met the artist, lets look one of his more recent works. 

Do you see the hand of God reaching out as if through His Word? See him reaching out to you in this moment. He invites you to come into His presence to be part of His living Word. Like Danny His Word only begins to make sense once we have responded to the voice of Jesus and invite him to come into our lives. 

Do you see the Hebrew letters on the Sword of Truth. Translated say I am that I am. It is the name that God called Himself when he met Moses at the Burning Bush in Exodus 3.  Much like Moses we can often feel inadequate when looking at our bit of talent. Surely there are others who are more qualified? 

We who have chosen to follow Christ were not adopted into the family because of our skills or good looks, not because of our family line. Not because of anything we could possibly do for Him. He has given his sons and daughters a double edged sword of His Word. God has always been interested in relationship. Out of our relationship he calls us to the family business of expanding the Kingdom for His glory. We have been given this sword his words. Its interesting to note that in English the Sword and Words are made up of the same letters. As we begin to speak and declare God’s words and apply it appropriately to various situations they cut through the lies we and others have believed.  Our enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but he really has no power unless we put our seed of faith into his lies rather than into God’s truth.

Notice the Bible in this painting. It is bursting with light and life. It is filled with living letters that make up living Words. It is from cover to cover the story of the Living Word made flesh who we call Jesus. 

As we grow in love and intimacy with the Lord much like Danny we may find ourselves wanting to give back to God in some small way. God spoke to Danny - use your talent. He speaks that word to us as well. What ever it is that you do begin to use it for His glory.  Like Danny you may look back with amazement at what God has done with that tiny bit of a talent and how He has used it to feed a multitude.