As I always do, I was asking last month which Name of God He would have me begin painting next and little did I know how quickly the confirmation would come! I listen to the Torah, Prophets, Writings and New Testament readings each day read in Israel and in a recent reading we began with John 1. As though jumping off the page, the attribute of God as the Word Made Flesh, or Logos, seemed to be highlighted. I have wanted to paint this one for a long time but wanted to wait to make sure this was God’s timing. The very next day I was at a leadership meeting for a women’s ministry and as we were planning for a gathering in a week’s time, I noticed that the theme of the speakers for this event were all going to be speaking about “The Word.” I verified that this was indeed linked to John 1 and there I had my confirmation! I was overjoyed to get a canvas and begin work on this next attribute of God in visual form! 
Once again, as it seems is the theme for this year, the face of Jesus is featured, surrounded by literal pages of the Bible to signify the Word becoming flesh. His face is looking down at the Word of God in surrender to the will of the Father. The beauty of God’s creation radiates behind Him, highlighting the very depths of the universe created by just the word of His mouth. If only we could hear the praise of the angels and see the awesome Glory of the One made Flesh as He put on our lowly frame and became like His own creation! This painting and the timing of it beckon us to experience just a hint of this incredible beauty. 
As I ponder God’s infinite love and humility in becoming like us, fragile, yet perfect, I hear His gentle whisper to each of us:
“My beloved creation—do you not understand who I am for you? I am every promise made flesh, every hope made real, every desire of the human heart made alive, every longing of creation made manifest. You will never find another who compares to Me. You may search all throughout my creation and all of it will only lead you back to this reality – I Am the Word who alone can satisfy the human heart and give you the food for which your soul hungers. Taste and see that I am good. When you feel the ache of lack, the weight of weariness, the pain of loneliness and cannot find rest in your soul, come to Me, your Logos, and I will lift off your heavy burden, feed your starving soul, heal your rejected heart, and give you the peace which is your portion. Only trust and do not doubt, my little lamb. It is I who made you for Myself, and you will not discover your purpose apart from The Word. ‘Come and buy all you who have no money; listen that your soul may live. All who thirst come to the water of my word and eat what is good. My word which goes out of My mouth will not return to Me in vain but will accomplish what I intend—it will succeed. Yes, you will go out with joy and be led forth with shalom. All my creation will break forth in song and the trees will clap their hands. Instead of the painful thorns from your past, evergreens symbolizing my unchanging promises and enduring nature will grow and this will be an everlasting sign which will never have an end.’” (paraphrase of Isaiah 55)