Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15 (World English Bible)
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Leviticus 19:18b, Matthew 22:39b, Galatians 5:14b
(World English Bible)
Romans 12:15 (World English Bible)
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Leviticus 19:18b, Matthew 22:39b, Galatians 5:14b
(World English Bible)
Introduction
One day, as I considered the concept of Rogue Art, questions came to me:
With this in mind, consider these two souls before you. The two paintings represent the perspectives of two souls as they view the exact same scene at the exact same time.
Questions to Consider Regarding the Front
You cannot directly see the scene these souls are looking at; you are only observing it through their eyes. Which soul do you suppose has the more accurate view of reality?
If these two are looking at the exact same thing at the same time, what could cause such a radical difference in their perspectives? Why does one see life and growth and rebirth while the other sees death and gloom?
Perhaps if we could peer inside the soul of these two we could gain a better insight into their perspectives.
Below are the images of the backs of the two works depicting the souls along with some close up images of the two souls
One day, as I considered the concept of Rogue Art, questions came to me:
- Why do paintings hang on the wall?
- Why don’t they hang in midair?
- If they did hang in midair, what could they tell us about ourselves and humanity?
With this in mind, consider these two souls before you. The two paintings represent the perspectives of two souls as they view the exact same scene at the exact same time.
Questions to Consider Regarding the Front
You cannot directly see the scene these souls are looking at; you are only observing it through their eyes. Which soul do you suppose has the more accurate view of reality?
If these two are looking at the exact same thing at the same time, what could cause such a radical difference in their perspectives? Why does one see life and growth and rebirth while the other sees death and gloom?
Perhaps if we could peer inside the soul of these two we could gain a better insight into their perspectives.
Below are the images of the backs of the two works depicting the souls along with some close up images of the two souls
For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7b (World English Bible)
1 Samuel 16:7b (World English Bible)
Introduction for viewing the back
Consider the two souls from the inside.
One is centered in light emanating a rainbow representing the full gamut of healthy human emotion.
The other is a soul in chaos; random splatters of thought and emotion tossed about his dark canvas. The soul is wounded with an injury so severe it is visible from the outside. Veins of infectious thoughts seep from the opening until the whole of his reality is defined by the wound.
Questions to Consider
What does the wound represent?
Why has it overtaken the soul?
Notice the soul centered in light has a wound as well and it is as large and significant as the soul in chaos. Yet he appears to not be consumed by the wound. Why?
Look closely at the wound of the soul in light. It is surrounded by hands representing the healing presence of people committed to bringing restoration to the wounded.
Most of the healing hands appear wounded in some fashion. What is the significance of this?
The hands appear to be painted by children. What is the significance?
How long has it been since these two souls experienced their wounds?
How long did it take for the soul in chaos to be consumed by the wound? How long did it take for the soul in light to be healed?
Did the soul in light submit himself to the hands of the healers, or did the healers take the initiative?
Where are the hands of the healers for the soul in chaos? How long will he bear the pain of his wound alone?
Call to Action
Although these two souls represent two extremes which one do you more readily relate to?
If you are wounded, are you carrying the burden alone? If so, how might you open yourself up to people who can be agents of restoration?
Do you know someone who is wounded? Will you be an agent of healing to them? How might this look if you took this notion from the abstract to the practical? What practical steps could you take to bring the beginnings of healing (remembering that healing does not typically come from one large event, but rather many small steps delivered consistently and lovingly over time)?
Final Thoughts
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Consider the two souls from the inside.
One is centered in light emanating a rainbow representing the full gamut of healthy human emotion.
The other is a soul in chaos; random splatters of thought and emotion tossed about his dark canvas. The soul is wounded with an injury so severe it is visible from the outside. Veins of infectious thoughts seep from the opening until the whole of his reality is defined by the wound.
Questions to Consider
What does the wound represent?
Why has it overtaken the soul?
Notice the soul centered in light has a wound as well and it is as large and significant as the soul in chaos. Yet he appears to not be consumed by the wound. Why?
Look closely at the wound of the soul in light. It is surrounded by hands representing the healing presence of people committed to bringing restoration to the wounded.
Most of the healing hands appear wounded in some fashion. What is the significance of this?
The hands appear to be painted by children. What is the significance?
How long has it been since these two souls experienced their wounds?
How long did it take for the soul in chaos to be consumed by the wound? How long did it take for the soul in light to be healed?
Did the soul in light submit himself to the hands of the healers, or did the healers take the initiative?
Where are the hands of the healers for the soul in chaos? How long will he bear the pain of his wound alone?
Call to Action
Although these two souls represent two extremes which one do you more readily relate to?
- Are you wounded?
- Are you healed?
- Can you be an instrument of healing?
If you are wounded, are you carrying the burden alone? If so, how might you open yourself up to people who can be agents of restoration?
Do you know someone who is wounded? Will you be an agent of healing to them? How might this look if you took this notion from the abstract to the practical? What practical steps could you take to bring the beginnings of healing (remembering that healing does not typically come from one large event, but rather many small steps delivered consistently and lovingly over time)?
Final Thoughts
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.