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 in Mechanical engineering. He became a missionary to many suffering hardship and poverty on Madura Island in Indonesia, for about 4 years, from 1990. He has worked as a pastor-life coach over the past 17 years in Hope International Ministries. Mark is also an artist and author and has also written two books which are 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.’ He has been counted among some of Australia’s best-selling authors since 2014 and is a public speaker in various community groups, organisations and churches. He has a special grace to help people find and release why they were born. See iconiccolours.com for more information about Mark’s services.
