Stay in the Snow | 20" x 20" acrylic on canvas

"Stay in the Snow"

I painted this back in December of 2019.  I never did release the finished painting... I'm not actually sure why I didn't back then, I just never felt promoted to.  Sometimes I paint things based on very personal dreams and words, so I keep them to myself, but for the last two weeks or so... it has been snowing where I live everyday!  Yup, snow in April here in Alberta!  And each day I hear God saying to me, you never did share about that painting, now is the time. So today I made a point to sit down and write about it.  

~

This phrase started for me back on Sept. 9, 2018.  I had a dream that night where myself and another person were being snowed on, just the two of us, while being captured by evil people.  I was slightly scared in the dream, but because of the snow, I felt safe.  It felt like a protective covering around us in the dream.  I heard God's voice speak to me, "stay in the snow." There was way more going on in the dream, but for the purpose of this painting and message I will focus on the snow and what I believe is an instruction and message.

I knew the dream had a message for me personally about prophetic purity and staying pure of heart, but I also see it as a message for the purity of the Church, the bride of Christ.  Is God trying to purify His bride?  I think so!  At the time, my dream was personal to me and held instructions for my heart, but now seeing what is happening in the world, I truly believe God is doing a way bigger thing. It always starts with us individually... purifying our own heart and life, but I also believe God is giving his Church time to get prepared!  It says in the Bible, Jesus is coming back for a pure bride.  

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5: 25-27)

"Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19: 7-9)

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7)

I will break down the painting and what each piece means from my perspective, but what I love about art is it will speak differently to each of us.  Yes, there may be a message from my perspective, but never let it limit what God may be showing you individually.  

The Dark Sky:

In my dream, the feeling was dark.  We were captured by evil people with the intention to steal our voice.  We live in a dark world.  There are dark spiritual forces at work around us.  I believe there are dark days ahead.  But be of good cheer!  Jesus already won the war on the Cross and uses His Church to be a light to shine bright!  I do believe we are in a season where there will be a divide even in the Church, of those who are purified and made ready and those who aren't. (The parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25)

We must get ready and get real with ourselves while there is time!

The White Rose: 

White has ever been a symbol of innocence, of a world unspoiled and untarnished. The meaning of a white roses is innocence and spiritual love. The white rose glorifies a love that is unaware of the temptations of the flesh and resides only in the soul. As opposed to the red rose that speaks of passionate promises, the meaning of a white rose is in its simplicity and pristine purity. The white rose also represents Jesus Christ's resurrection; the resurrection power that resides in the life of a believer and washes away our sins, making us clean.

The Snow:

Snow can represent: pure/purity (white), robe of righteousness (snow on the earth is like a robe of righteousness on an earthen vessel), Glory, Refreshing and God's Word.  In the dream I felt protection surrounding me by being snowed on.  And when I heard, "stay in the snow." I believe the Lord was showing me a message and instruction... if we STAY in purity, have pure motives of the heart and move in righteousness, we will be safe.  Even if we are "captured" we must stay in purity.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." (Isaiah 1:18-19)

 The Glass Dome:

When praying through this painting, I kept seeing the white rose being snowed on; the way I saw the protection, was in a glass dome.  The glass also speaks to me personally about the prophetic gifting.  Glass speaks of seeing, seeing through a spiritual lens, a new perspective.  Clear glass is clarity.  I also saw it as a protective shield around the rose.  

Biblically, glass speaks of the heart, transparent and pure.  

I also heard the Lord say we are in a "window of time" to get prepared.  In the days we are seeing right now, with such uncertainty, we must walk in purity and conform to the image of Christ, not of this world.  

The Scroll with a Blue Ribbon:

The plans and purposes of God for each one of us are predestined.  I truly believe the closer we walk with him, the more we are purified and made clean, the more we hear from him and his instruction are made clear.  The scroll is a symbol of those plans, the revelation and instructions he gives to us.  His written Word and His instructions that come through the Holy Spirit's voice moment by moment as we live each day.  

The White Feather:

I painted many many white feathers in the Bible Art Collection during the last two years.  I used them to represent the Holy Spirit, his Presence and His peace.  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4: 6-7)

No matter what trials we face in this world, God promises to give us peace and to guard our hearts and minds in Christ.  Instead of allowing worry and fear to steal our peace, we present our requests to God. When we submit our transition and turmoil to God, and invite him into our circumstance, we allow God’s peace to transcend our situation. 

 ~

This was a very personal painting that speaks to my heart and is a reminder to me to continually renew my mind, my heart and ask God to create in me a clean heart - a pure heart, for those are the ones that will ascend the mountain of the Lord... and I want to be one of those people!  We all have time now to get ready.  What are the areas of your life that need purifying?  What areas of your heart need to be cleansed?  Jesus Christ forgives all who call upon his name and believe.  To be prepared and made ready, a pure bride for His second coming.

I pray you are all blessed, encouraged and challenged by this painting.  

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

Lord, purify our hearts.  

Mindi

The Original Painting is available here | Fine Art Prints are available here