"Remember" | NEW Painting | May Collectors Club 2020

"Remember" 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas

painted for the May 2020 Collectors Club 

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”  Luke 22: 19-20

“I am a Rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” Song of Songs 2:1

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2: 14-15

The original painting is available on my website...click here if you are interested.

May is an extra special month for me, it’s my birthday month!  When I began praying through the painting for this May, I automatically saw lily of the valley.  “Too obvious,” I thought, lily of the valley is the birthday flower for May; then I saw the flowers in a pitcher on a table with communion beside it.  That was the image so strongly impressed on my heart, I had to paint it.  I asked God for the meaning behind this still life and here’s what I heard…

We must remember the simplicity of the gospel, what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross.  The body and blood shed for our sins and the new covenant we walk in.  We ought to  partake in this remembrance daily, not just on Sundays or occasions.  This can be done in our homes with our families on a daily basis or as we feel lead.  It brings us back to the foundation of our faith and realigns our hearts.  It is life transforming.  We are the fragrance of Christ, pouring out our love for Him so others can see Christ in us.  We cannot lose our voice in this world, our life should be an aroma glorifying the Lord wherever we go.  Remember these things.

The lily of the valley:

Lily of the valley is the May flower meaning, “return to happiness.”  In the Bible, lily of the valley is mentioned 15 times, most often in Song of Songs. Since the flower blooms so early in springtime, in Christianity it represents the Second Coming of Christ.  In Song of Songs the flower refers to us, the bride of Christ.  We often think it’s only an image of Jesus, but in the context of this Scripture, it is describing us – the beloved.  We are the fragrance of Christ in this world.

Lily of the valley represents simplicity, purity, humility and an effortless glory of the saints. The dainty white flower hangs like a bell, sending forth it’s sweet sound.  With its head bowed, it reminds us of our posture towards our King, “Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty!” and yet he humbled himself in the lowest position as a suffering servant for our salvation and a life of abundance.

In ancient times, lily of the valley was often used as a medical remedy for a lost voice.  Say what?!  When I read that, I knew the Lord was saying, “we cannot lose our voice.”  God wants to heal those who have lost their voice for him.  We are living in a time where our voice is being threatened, being silenced and the freedom to practice our faith is being tested.  We are seeing the Christian faith being persecuted in almost every area of society.  We have to rise up with a voice of freedom and salvation.  It has been watered-down in the name of political correctness.  If we aren’t careful, it will be taken away and we will experience great persecution.  We must spread the ‘fragrance of the knowledge of him’ everywhere we go. 

The Bread and Wine:

The two elements of communion, the body and blood shed for you.  The physical action of eating and drinking is designed to remind us that we spiritually “ingest” and depend upon Jesus and the saving benefits of his life, death, and resurrection.  “Do this in remembrance of me.”

The Butterfly:

The butterfly is a symbol of transformation and resurrection power.  This beautiful little creature reminds us of a life transformed through Christ, here and now.  In him, all things are made new. 

I pray the month of May’s print is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ and the fragrance we carry to others.  We cannot lose our voice declaring the good news! 

“How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices. They call out together for joy, for they will see with their own eyes the return of the Lord to Zion.”  Isaiah 52:7-8