His hand to the Plough

Around 1 year ago, whilst preparing for Zone Conferences, an image came to mind that I’d seen many years ago.

My good friends Gary & Jo Griffiths had used it when they presided over the Scotland Ireland Mission.

I scoured the internet to try and find a copy of the image and reached out to Gary too. But alas, I was unsuccessful.

A few days later, one of our missionaries Atticus Snow, mentioned to me about a blank canvas he had, and asked if he could paint anything for me. A serendipitous moment, if ever there was one.

I then shared with him the image I had in mind.

And for a while I forgot about the image and the painting.

More time passed.

Earlier this year, I asked if he’d made any progress with his “drawing”. He’d been busy and had only made a little bit of progress.

Even more time passed and the time for him to return home was approaching.

Again, I asked about his “drawing”.

He told me progress was being made.

A few days ago, I asked “Did you finish the horses?”

He replied, “No it’s not finished.”

I was a little disappointed.

Returning home after a busy morning on Thursday, Monic said that there was something in the office for me.

And there it was. He’d surprise me!

The most exquisite painting of the image I had described 12 months previously.

I must admit that I shed a tear or two.

Later that day, at our departures meeting we asked everyone gathered to share their own impressions of the painting, and what it meant to them in regard to missionary work.

Many poignant thoughts were shared, things of our souls, touching all of our hearts.

Consider, Luke 9:62.

Atticus told us about the research he did for the painting and a few finer particulars.

If you look closely, those details will emerge.

It is a labour of love.

One meaning, I see symbolically, is two strong missionaries, straining to fulfil their purpose, as the Lord directs them in their work, guiding the blade true and straight, with His eyes future focussed, fixed upon the furrow to be cut.

What do you see?