Close-up- In process:
This project is a little creepy I know. It’s one of the times where my “Permission Slip” had to be referred to again. Allow the right brain to go out to recess on the playground, swing from the monkey-bars and then wander down the street into the Funhouse. Along the way add some mild hallucinogens obtained from a creepy guy on the corner to enhance the whole experience. (Not really, no drugs were involved). Just total freedom to play with the ideas, the concept of which was born out of a strange and wonderful occurrence which took place about 12 years ago back when I was really trying to read the Bible every night. It was this section of Matthew:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46
After reading this I just felt heavy. To my understanding, it seemed like Jesus was saying to me/us that we needed to seek the kingdom of heaven by diligently being on the lookout and being prepared to sell everything, do anything, go anywhere to find and secure it. It made me a little tired and discouraged, like I wasn’t doing enough, so I just rolled over and went to sleep.
I came to consciousness around 3 a.m. in a half-sleep state, yet very alert. Before my eyes was the page of the Bible I’d just been reading that night, but the verses I quoted above were illuminated from behind, like with a neon yellow highlighter. And somewhere into my mind/heart it was communicated to me (Let me interject that I have never bought into people who say God “spoke” to them and the prophetic stuff. It has always seemed a bit conjured up to me – but I’m a natural skeptic), but this was very clearly “spoken” into my heart if you will, that I had misinterpreted the passage. It was not a directive to get busy seeking and investing in the kingdom of heaven (i.e. “Get to Work!”) but an illustration of what GOD himself had done to seek us. Find us. Purchase us. Me. It was very personal. He was saying that he’d spend anything or go to any lengths to get to me – that I was a precious Treasure to him, a Pearl of great value. I remember being shocked, humbled and disbelieving.
Sadly, over time the reality of that revelation faded, life came back in like the tides and washed the words of the vision from the sand, and I got back to being normal. Normally insecure… with normally low self-esteem and a critical view of myself, my faith and my worth. I’m so grateful that this project resurrected that vision and reminded my heart of my own personal communiqué from my Creator.
Treasure (You Opened the Eyes of My Heart)
You opened the eyes of my heart so I’d see
The Treasure that you say is inside of me
I thought I was marked with the scars of a fool
But you call them beautiful, each one a jewel
You opened my heart and helped me to find
The Beauty and Goodness of your grand design
The tears that rained down onto valleys and highlands
You saved and collected like pearls and diamonds.
You created a tapestry, woven with gold
Bringing beauty from ashes and warmth from the cold
You opened the eyes of my heart so I’d see
The truth of your love, which can set a heart free.