Discovery

Although this composite may look like a simple fairytale or illustration for a child's story, it is much more than that. Remember that the pictures I blog about here are visual parables, or at least illustrations or pictoral representations of spiritual truths. When these are imparted by the Holy Spirit to you, the truth becomes revelation. Once you have a little knowledge of the "language" being spoken, you can get some illumination.

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Doorways, which I use often in my artwork, are quite obvious symbols--they're entrances to somewhere you're not yet. This one's permanently open, although somewhat hidden, if you don't know what you're looking for. This is also a living door to somewhere safe and inviting, not a dark and threatening door. It can be interpreted as either the Door into the family and Kingdom of God (Jesus said, "I am the door." John 10: 1-15), or else a door into another "place", experience or understanding within that Kingdom. The little girl (who happens to be my granddaughter) may be discovering the doorway for the first time, meaning she is being drawn by the Father into the family of God, and she is ready and welcoming the new thing.

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I see this artwork a little deeper though, and I think the little girl represents the child of God (if you are "born again", then you are a child of God). The reason I say this is that she seems to already be in a garden, or a manicured grounds, and that this is a special place within it. She is also dressed like a "princess", representing that she already knows her place in the family and in the Kingdom. The dove (actually, it's a pigeon here, but it will do as a representation) always stands for the Holy Spirit in my artwork. Here, He has already done His job and has led her to this passageway. She has gotten a glimpse inside, and she's excited!

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The name of the background photo is "Secret Garden" (for credits and links to the other photos used in this collage, see my Flickr stream:http://www.flickr.com/photos/artezoe/3185912827/), so far, a mystery, as are many of the "places" in the Kingdom until they are revealed to us. God knows what we are ready to receive at any given time; and receive is what this little princess is about to do.

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Beyond the entrance to this place, that shines with a richer light than where she is at present, stands a beautiful white horse. I don't know all that this horse could stand for, but I do know that, here, it surely represents this little child's dream. She is enraptured by seeing him, and though she is twirling in joy, she will run in to embrace him in just a moment!

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Honestly, my heart swells at this very moment in gratitude for my Heavenly Father's gifts!. How often He has surprised me and overwhelmed me with His love! Sometimes it's been in response to long held dreams and prayers, and sometimes it's been a complete surprise. He knows me better than I know myself, and He has placed dreams in my heart and then made them come true. So, at least on one level, this noble horse represents the Father's good gifts and provisions (e.g. companionship, transportation).

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"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

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"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

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"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11 (Another reference ends a little differently: "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13).

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Those of us who are born again of the Spirit (John 3:1-21) are children of God, but we are still supposed to grow up in Him and become mature. The Father doesn't stop surprising us, though, or giving us gifts; however, the gifts become more powerful, and require more responsibility the "older" we get.

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Even though this little girl looks young, she has been given a large responsibility in the care of this horse. It also appears that the horse knows her and is awaiting her entrance with patience and love. This horse could be seen as a new move of the Holy Spirit in her life, one with more power and authority [appropriate follow-up reading would be Rick Joyner's "The Torch and The Sword"].

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I also see another, even deeper meaning to this artwork. In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ is shown as returning on a white horse. Could it be that the archetypal "knight in shining armor" (always shown riding a white horse) is actually based on this? It is almost every little girl's dream to be "swept off her feet" by a "knight in shining armor"! Disney® and company have certainly capitalized on this with all their "Disney Princesses"™ merchandise. Some cynics scorn this, but I see it as an indication that it is more than just a girlish fantasy. In the greater reality of things, it is the Bride (one picture of the Church) who longs for her Prince, her "knight in shining armor" to appear. Jesus Christ will return for her, when she is fully mature, trained to "ride", and ready to do battle and to reign with Him.

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"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19: 11-16 [all verses are from the New King James Version]. I suggest reading this whole chapter, and even through to the end of the book, as you'll see the Bride there.

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I hope this artwork and these words encourage you to enter into that deeper, more intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father (or to come into the Kingdom for the first time via the new birth). He has many awesome gifts for you, many new and glorious revelations and experiences to share with you, and most of all, He Himself to spend forever getting to Know.

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I always enjoy writing out the interpretations of these pieces, as I always receive more about them as I do, which always blesses me immensely!