Thought for the day – Friday 3rd July 2020
What was most interesting about the on-line Art and Theology course that I have just completed was the introduction to artists that were unknown to me before. The very first week featured an artist from the Isle of Man, Petrina Kent, and her painting, ‘The Invitation’. I found the image fascinating, her choice of colour and perspective and how our eye is drawn downwards, but it was the title that made me think. To what are we being invited ? Who is inviting us? Are we to get into the boat. If so, how do we get in to it, and where are we going?
Some years ago, after a renewal of faith, I had a vision. I was on the beach near to the pier at Felixstowe, when someone came up behind me, and said, ‘Come with me’. He led me to a boat that was waiting at the water’s edge. We both got into the boat and the man started rowing. I felt safe and secure and at peace as I trailed my hand in the cool water, and then glanced up, and saw that the man rowing the boat had raw scars of nails on the palms of his hands. The vision faded at that moment, but the image will be forever imprinted on my mind.
Any true encounter with God is never forgotten. Think of all those people in the Gospels who encountered Christ. They were all affected in some way, both friends and enemies. But those who had close encounters were transformed. Jesus never demands, he invites. He never uses brute force or ultimatums. He says, ‘Follow me’. He says, ‘ Behold, I stand at the door and knock’. He says, ‘Come unto me all you who are heavy laden’.
Invitations are few and far between at the moment. We might be invited to a Zoom meeting, or to social-distance with 5 other people in a garden, so we are missing social interaction and fellowship, but by meditating on a painting, God can offer you an invitation. By looking closely at the image, you can hear him speaking. What is God inviting you to, right now. Will you accept the invitation, or choose to ignore it, or maybe accept it, but with limitations and stipulations. The amazing thing is, that God’s invitation is an open invitation, with no limits. Like the father of the Prodigal Son, he waits and he watches, and if we choose to accept, he welcomes.