This prophetic painting is entitled "My Spirit" as in God's Holy Spirit. Painted in 2009, I've forgotten specific details about this painting, but the creative swiftness and anointing of the Spirit remains ever-present in my memory. The painting process from beginning to end was no more than a half an hour tops. I was amazed how quickly the piece was completed. I remember applying a heavy coat of Gesso for the undercoat and then placing dabs of colors as directed by the Holy Spirit. Long, curved brush strokes from one side of the canvas to the other created the water or wave-like effect on the bottom half of the canvas. Shorter, straight brush strokes in a fan-like motion finished the top of the painting. The distinctive orange in the middle is a dove. If you look closely, you'll see an eye and the beak.
Interestingly enough, when I took this painting to share at the church I was attending, some of the congregation saw a dove while others saw an orange boat. I can see both. The glory above the dove like heaven opening and the sweeping curves of blue beneath the dove could represent Jesus' baptism where the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove. On the other hand, the boat angle and the motion of the water reminds me of the storm where Jesus calmed the wind and the waves merely by His commanding words, "Peace! Be still!" His disciples went from fearing the storm and losing their lives to fearing the Son of God with holy reverence. They exclaimed with wonder, "Who is this man that even the wind and the waves obey Him?" The painting could also represent the boat that was tossed about by the sea and Jesus appeared to the disciples as He walked on the water.
Examine the painting, read the Scriptures, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom. It may well be that He will reveal a new revelation about this painting meant especially for you.
JOHN BAPTIZES JESUS
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17
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| Prophetic painting by Christine Nichols ©2009 |
WIND AND WAVES OBEY JESUS
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41
JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER
Immediately (after feeding the 5,000 with five loaf of bread and two fish) Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33
The common denominator of the three stories is that Jesus is clearly declared the Son of God! Jesus is part of the Godhead: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three in one.
