The Victory Part 1: Authorized Personnel ONLY

Victory in Jesus, 2023

Acrylic on watercolor paper

16.5” x 21”

Introduction:

This is the story of a painting and the remarkable events surrounding its creation. The piece, entitled: Victory in Jesus, was conceived in a vision and painted at a concert, September 21st 2023. The Masterpiece Collaborative Creative Arts Concert, simply titled: “Masterpiece” in its early days of inception, was a collaboration between myself and amazingly skilled concert pianist Dorene Dundas. In October of 2022, Dorene shared her vision with me and invited me to be a part of it. She pictured giving a classical piano recital with an unorthodox twist - Dorene wanted to have a visual artist accompany her on stage and create a painting as she played. Performing a piano recital at a venue such as the Kroc Center’s Midge and Pepper Smock Family Theater had been an aspiration of hers for quite some time. However, it was at the 2022 Be Bold For Jesus Conference (where she and I met) that the vision really began to come into clarity. The idea was to have an event that would be equal parts music and visual art; with a portion of the proceeds going to charity; and 100% of the glory going to God. We would work side-by-side, she at her piano and I at my easel, to create a “masterpiece” and promote the truth of Ephesians 2:10 - that every single person is a priceless masterpiece in God’s sight. And we would do all this in approximately one hour. The premise was compelling, the challenge was substantial, but never could I have imagined what God would do.

…This is the account of what transpired.

A supernatural occurrence took place as I stepped through the backstage door of the Midge and Pepper Smock Family Theater. The daunting feeling that had been nagging at me immediately broke off of my spirit. I was free and, not only free, I was brimming with joyful anticipation!

I had been able to ignore the nervous feeling for most of the one hour drive from my house to the theater. This concert was a big deal. It was important and like all important things it was important to me to do it right! I think most milestone occasions come prepackaged with their very own portion of nervousness, that’s just the natural order of things. I turned up my car stereo and let the dulcet melody of worship fill my little car and my spirit. I joined the beautiful harmony of Nigerian singers chanting: “no weeeeapon formed against meeeee shall prosperrrr, it wont work.” I had just discovered this group and instantly fell in love with their rich accents and authentic flavor of worship. This song in particular found a special place in my heart, not just because of the words but the way it was sung. You see, the lyrics are not presented as a raw-raw get you pumped warring anthem but as a soft delicate melody. It’s as if the musicians are saying, “pfff - you ain’t nothin’, Devil. I don’t even need to raise my voice to you.” I knew this logically in my mind. The Devil is nothing. His lies are nothing. Any anxiety is just an illusion because I have already seen the victory. 

I slowed, yielding as I approached the round-about. As I patiently waited to enter, the sky caught my gaze and there it was! The missing piece - the clouds! A gorgeous formation of cumulus clouds hovered just before me. The assembly was majestic and powerful and a peculiar halo of light radiated from an opening at the center of the clouds’ form. All that had been missing from my vision was the clouds. I knew they were supposed to be there, the clouds were the presence of God. Every draft of “the painting” had had the clouds but I just couldn’t figure out how they were supposed to fit. 

I smiled as I pondered the truth that God gives you what you need when you need it. “I guess I didn’t need to know that until now,” I chuckled to myself and to God, “but I can’t help but feel like the drive down is cutting it a little close, Lord.” A satisfaction filled me. My mind and my car felt as though they were floating on the music as I slowly ambled down the back country road.  I had elected to take the ‘scenic-route.’ “Less traffic will be better for my nerves,” I said to myself, “and besides the slow-way will buy me a little more time to calm down.” For the most part this worked but the closer in proximity to the venue I got, the louder the volume of the anxiety in my body and mind became. And with them, increased the volume of the doubt. “Why did I agree to do this?!” I couldn’t help but think to myself, “who do I think I am, confidently declaring that I can create a painting from start to finish in one hour… on stage… in front of an auditorium full of people?! Who does that?! This is crazy! Why didn’t you just say: “no,” Angela?!” But there was no backing out now. After all, Dorene and I had been planning, and practicing, and preparing for this concert for almost an entire year. We had laughed together, prayed together, and encouraged one another in our respective moments of uncertainty. Over the course of those many months, we had exchanged countless emails; pondering everything from the parallels in art and music, to the logistical and spiritual ramifications of this event… and in the process, we had become friends. The evening of September 21st had felt so far off for so long. “September 21st” had become a nebulous fantasy like “someday,” but it was finally right here in front of me and so was the Kroc Center. 

Dorene had arrived almost a full hour before me, to “get a feel for the room” and the  venue’s Steinway piano. She greeted me with a big smile and a hug. We both breathed a deep exhaling sigh, an acknowledgment that this was it - the night was finally here and (for better or worse) we would be taking the stage for the Masterpiece Collaborative Creative Arts Concert in a mere matter of hours.  Dorene is no stranger to the theater. Musical theater is literally her business and the Midge and Pepper Smock Family Theater is like a second home to her. Her familiarity was totally obvious as she showed me around the backstage area of the venue. The comfort with which she gave me the grand tour was akin to someone welcoming you into their own home. “Here is the green-room, and the dressing-room, and here is the back door where you can unload all your supplies,” she said as she gestured to an unassuming access door.  A prominent sign had been taped to the door which read: “DO NOT prop open this door!” As Dorene opened the door she gracefully gestured her hand (Vanna White style) to reveal a large rock which lay sitting just to the side of the concrete. One thing is for certain, this rock was definitely NOT for propping open the door *all sarcasm intended.* Dorene had given me perfect instructions on how to navigate the parking lot and find this magic door however, I was deterred by all the intimidating signage. I had initially driven around to the back of the building but upon finding the many signs declaring that this area was for “authorized personnel ONLY!” my mind began to swirl with questions. “Do I count as an authorized person? Am I qualified? Can I even do this?!” Better to park up front like everybody else I decided. My trusty old peely car was loaded to the gills with art supplies and tools for the event. Living out in the boonies has caused me to operate under the “better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it“ policy. I felt emboldened knowing that I had a “man on the inside” (or woman as it were) and I ventured back out to move my car into the intimidating “authorized people only” section of the parking lot. Dorene had been keeping an eye out for me and promptly opened the access door, greeting me once again with a big smile.

Me, Dorene, and Nicole, backstage

Then it happened - as I hefted that first box of art supplies across the threshold, the supernatural occurred. It was as though a divine exchange took place the moment I passed through that backdoor. God instantly transformed every lingering twinge of anxiety and doubt into the “good kind of excited” and a joyful anticipation filled my spirit. Every voice (from within and without) that had been nagging and poking at me was immediately hushed and replace with reminders of all the prayers and words of encouragement I had received. God was already there, He was just waiting for me to enter.

The Sunday prior to the concert I had received incredible support from my new church. I was so prayed-up and encouraged that I was practically glowing! Old and new friends alike had laid hands on me and blessed me with thoughtful and beautiful prayers. And as God would have it, the Holy Spirit told the Pastor to do something very special that Sunday. During worship, Pastor Dan went around and anointed every single person there with a specific blessing just for them, calling each person by name (no easy task with a congregation of 100+ people). I smiled as I remembered that moment and thought to myself “I am qualified! And not only am I qualified, I am anointed!” The people at Oasis church have been incredibly attentive and welcoming, despite the fact that I’m a newbie. One new friend in particular named Lyle shared some incredibly profound wisdom with me that day. During my entire time of preparation for the concert, I had struggled with the concern of whether or not it was okay to do what I do in-front of an audience. “My art is my private time with the Lord, Lyle. It’s special, it’s sacred. I paint alone, just me and Him in the woods.” I confided in him. “Oh, intimacy,” he replied, “oh, yeah, intimacy that’s private. Better to keep that in the boudoir behind closed doors, right?” The twinkle in his eye was an indicator, just in case I had missed it, that his remark was facetious. “But we’re not talking about that are we? We’re talking about intimacy with God. We’re talking about the intimacy that comes from entering into the throne room and we want to share that. We want other people to come with us and experience that intimacy, right?” Oh man, he had me there alright. I was stunned. “But I’ll be on stage, I don’t want everybody to look at me. I want them to see God and what He’s doing,” I nervously retorted back. “Now wait a minute, who’s image are you created in again?” Touché, Lyle. Touché. It’s amazing what a person armed with Scriptural truth can do. In a single five minute conversation that man completely demolished every argument that had been plaguing my mind for months! 

After the service, and my incredibly illuminating conversation with Lyle, I had the opportunity to chat with Pastor Dan as well. I shared with him about the concert and in that sort of “hey, if you could remember me in your prayers later” kinda way I shared my request. Dan did not hesitate to extend a hand, right then and there. In a very matter of fact manner Pastor Dan declared that it was done - the anointing of God was already over the venue and the presence of God was already there. He prayed a blessing over Dorene, and I, and all the attendees as well but it was the idea that God had gone before us and was already there waiting that rang out in my mind. God was there. Everything was ready and waiting for us, all we had to do was enter in and enjoy the ride. 

(Photo by by Shelia Cafferty)

So what happens when the presence of God goes before you? Join me next week to find out and to hear the rest of the story :).

     

* While the events recounted in the post are true, some of the names have been changed to protect people’s privacy.