As an artist and pastor, I want my paintings to have a certain impressionistic beauty, while also carrying the prophetic voice of the spirit of God to encourage people.
This painting is of the beautiful Brighton boat houses in Melbourne. Brighton is a place where many individuals are well off materially. Many men and women of standing in the nation are based there.
This picture again reminds me of Esther in the bible; a person of privilege with humble beginnings. The prominent red and orange colours speak of activity and liveliness to help others, like blood that supplies life and oxygen to refresh other parts. Esther’s direction became a following a movement; hence the two bicyclists, one following.
The West Gate bridge is like an eye sore and appears quite prominently in the background. Actually, this is not the case in the real view; the bridge is almost unseeable. The point is that sometimes easy to ignore life’s eye sores, the sick, the needy, the orphans, the imprisoned, the hungry, those in poverty need our lives. Esther risked all for her people; trust God and step out.
The boat houses are also places of contemplation. Take a moment to contemplate on the abilities you have and how your destiny is being realised by applying these talents for God. As in the book of Esther, we see “a person’s gift makes a way for him.” Attitude is altitude; the sky stands out in this picture.
I hear God saying when much is given much is required. Don’t focus on the personal accolade and the pursuit of more, for more sake, but on what God has given us and how we use it for his glory.
Despite the pressures, Esther knew that she was raised up for such a time as this!
Mark Rusic was born in Melbourne and has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He became a missionary to many, suffering hardship and poverty on Madura Island in Indonesia, in 1990 for about four years. He worked as a pastor-life coach with Hope International Ministries from 2002 to May 2023, playing a key role in raising up leaders and elders for the local Melbourne Hope church, which lead today. Mark has also been active in conducting yearly trips to remote Indigenous communities, bringing teams for training and outreach, which he initiated from 2015. He also established a salt and light ministry to empower saints of influence in the marketplace from 2017.
Mark is also an artist and an author and has written two books which are both a collection of his own paintings, photography, and poetry. These include ‘Iconic Melbourne of Australia’ and ‘Iconic Animals of Australia- With a voice to release your giant potential within,’ which are available now on booktopia.com.au and at leading book retailers. He has been counted among some of Australia’s best authors on several occasions through Dymocks since 2014 and continues to be a motivational speaker in various community groups, organisations, and churches.
He is currently pioneering his itinerant ministry to bless Indigenous people and empower the body of Christ, while working as an artist, author and speaker.
