Chose

“‘Whose son are you, young man?’ Saul asked him. David said, ‘I am the son of your servant Jesse  of Bethlehem.'” (1 Samuel 17:58 NIV)

The ribbons represent royalty. These red hues represent blood / bloodlines: the blood of Christ, the bloodline of Christ (Jesse, David, etc.), the bloodline of Saul, and the bloodline of Goliath. The number three here represents the Trinity. The colors and shape represent an atmosphere of movement, yet calm. As I was painting, I felt calm yet energetic, confident and connected. As Saul meets David, there is a lot happening in a single moment. The first king of Israel meets the future king, who will one day have an heir in Jesus, who will reign forever. As I was painting, Jesus reminded me that I am invited into His Kingdom to reign with Him now and one day reign with Him more fully. There is so much to say about this, and yet moments of sitting with this and painting a representation of this reality gives me a moment to pause and dwell with God. He met me in my moment of feeling completely unqualified to reign with Him, yet Jesus is the one who makes me qualified. He chose me, and He continues choosing me. He has promised that He will always choose me.

Sean Thelen

For Reflection

• How does it make you feel knowing that you are chosen by God? What kind of conversation do you have with Him, especially in the midst of times you feel unqualified?

• As you sit and look at this painting, what is God speaking to you about? Does anything stand out that is unexpected?