Art: Baptism by Fire

I wanted to post this piece a few days ago, but I realized I needed to take a fair amount of time to write about it. 

When I draw fan art or portraits, they are not that difficult to explain. I just state in a sentence what the image is and end with that, but images like this are a bit more challenging. I’m actually a little hesitant to post this because it’s a controversial topic (even among Christians).

BUT God gave me this image one day, and He has given me the gift of art for edification. I will not edify (help to grow) anyone if this picture stays in the recesses of my laptop and is not seen. No, that won’t help anyone. So, if you’re offended, please hear me out. This might take a long time to explain, and it’s rooted in experience, not just information. I’m open to questions or comments from anyone!

The image is about baptizing with fire, or the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is something most believers understand, but Spirit baptism… not so much! It’s really a huge thing to explain, but this image really focuses on the “fire” of the Holy Spirit. Part of the job description of the Spirit is to convict believers of their sin and to “burn away” that sin inside of them. But fire is a painful process.

A.B. Simpson says it quite well in his book, Power From on High, “He [Holy Ghost] searches our inmost being, and requires and produces ‘truth in the hidden part.’… Fire is a purifying element … Holy Ghost comes to destroy all that is destructible, to consume all that is corruptible, and to burn out all that is combustible … He comes, not only to cleanse, but to improve, to elevate, to mature, to beautify and glorify the soul and fit our heavenly robes for the marriage of the Lamb … There is an instantaneous and there is a gradual work of the Holy Ghost. There is an act by which He baptizes us into Himself forever. And there is a process in which He sits down beside the crucible, and watches the molten silver until it perfectly reflects His image, and then He removes the fire and declares the work complete … The Holy Spirit, like fire, melts the rigid heart and molds it into the form of God’s holy will, and highest purpose.”

Ultimately that is what this image is about—the suddenness of Holy Spirit bursting into the scene and dunking us into the depths with fire… Our shock when we realize we don’t have it all together and that we need to be refined by the Spirit… The overwhelming power that knocks us off our feet (so to speak) and into deeper intimacy with Jesus. It’s glorious. It’s stunning. It’s charged with power. It’s intense and stings a bit…

But it’s so worth it. And it’s necessary. Without the cleansing fire of Holy Spirit we cannot possibly emulate Jesus, and Jesus is our very goal! We want to be just like him—he modeled the life of prayer, intimacy and power every believer should want to walk in, but unless our hearts are cleansed and purified, we cannot possibly become like Jesus. We need this baptism. 

Am I making sense? Please, if any of this confuses you, message me! I’m open to EVERY question.

Again, if this has offended you or you don’t like the fact that all my artwork has suddenly become spiritual, then I’m sorry, but I must be obedient to God. Ultimately everything I do is for Him, because that’s really all that counts. If the only reason I’m doing art is so that I can have fun, and maybe so that some people can remember me after I’m dead, then to me that’s a sorry purpose. I long for depth, meaning and real impact. I believe my art is doing more than reaching people and talking to them about spiritual truths; I believe my art is glorifying God and leading me into intimacy with Him. That’s why I’m doing art. 

And I really, really, really want to talk to people more about it. Strike up a conversation! Let me know if you’re excited about this or upset. Or confused. I don’t want you to be confused. I want to speak clearly! Please, please message me. 

Be blessed, you guys. Really. I’m praying for you all!


(Originally posted October 25th on Tumblr)