Jesus In Me Does The Work

Inspired by: Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12; Luke 10:16

Completed October 2002

A turning point in the artist’s life was the return to a ministry in the hospital. As a chaplain’s assistant the artist felt God’s call to allow Him to use the artist to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and simply bring encouragement to the hurting, making His name known. The artist stepped out in faith, charged with excitement knowing that it was God Who would be doing the work, supplying the strength and healing power needed. God had taught the artist that one must empty oneself completely so that anything that took place would be a result of His power and wisdom and compassion, not theirs.

Stepping into the hospital the artist would leave opinions, biases, self indulgences behind and submit to God’s leading and filling. Through a series of “hospital dreams” the artist had, God showed that He had removed the fear that the artist had possessed for so long. It was a fear of intimidation, a fear of inadequacy and ignorance. It was now gone. When the artist walked in the room, God walked in the room. Those who rejected the artist rejected God. The artist learned that His presence was inside; the artist’s life was hidden with Jesus in God. He was the artist’s adequacy, strength; the One Who supplied wisdom and the words in the artist’s mouth. It was His compassion drawing the artist to each room, shining through the artist’s eyes. When patients would complement the artist for being so kind, the artist would have to say, “It is the Lord Who wanted to touch you today. It is He Who loves you and wants to get closer to you.” Proverbs 3:6 became clearer to the artist as the artist acknowledged Him in all ways. It was as if the artist wasn’t even there but could see and hear all that went on between God and the precious life He wanted to touch.

In an effort to try to get the people the artist prayed for to get their eyes off of the artist onto Jesus the artist painted this painting to give them a clear picture of what was really happening when a chaplain prayed. The artist hoped it would help them to understand that Jesus was there doing the work instead of a chaplain. Without Jesus, a chaplain can do nothing to heal.