November 15. Jared Emerson. Jared is a star performer and artist, and he presents regularly at business and corporate gatherings—and for faith-based groups. He says, “My journey across my canvas is one of faith and love—and above all, an expression of my love of God. Whether it’s a live performance or a personal, intimate sitting, my goal is to paint what my heart sees—and to share it. …”
On this day in 2014, Jared uploaded to YouTube a live speed-painting of Jesus. Today’s story is about how Jared got started sharing his painting—as it was being created.
Pushing through our fears can release the power of God.
Jared throws paint. And throwing paint on canvas, he captures the essence of the subject he’s painting.
During a time when his art-career prospects were looking dim, his pastor asked him to do a painting in front of an audience. That was a jarring request. Performing in front of people seemed out of the question for Jared, and risky.
He rebelled at the idea and thought, Ridiculous! He had never considered turning his art into a performance. He worried he would make a fool of himself and wanted to give his pastor a resounding “No.”
But it was hard for Jared to say no to his pastor, so he said he would do it.
Then a week before the scheduled performance, Jared re-tore a major ligament in a knee he had injured five years before. It opened a convenient door for Jared to back out of the performance. He could tell his pastor he couldn’t paint in front of the whole church.
After all, he would have to hobble onto the stage with crutches and then balance and hop on one leg while throwing paint on a canvas.
Still, Jared decided he wouldn’t back out. He wasn’t a backer-outer. And who knew? This could be the opportunity he needed to take his craft to a new level. Besides, he believed God wanted him to do it. So he just needed to get out there and make it happen.
Unfortunately, the stage crew stretched and fixed a large piece of black cloth on a frame for Jared to paint on during his performance, and it wasn’t primed like a real canvas, so the paint was doomed to soak through, degrading the effects—an artist’s nightmare. What else could go wrong?
When Jared did make his appearance, old fears crept in. He had around nine minutes to come up with a painting of Jesus that wouldn’t mock his credibility as a speed painter. All eyes would be on him while he fumbled and stumbled around on one leg on the stage.
Negative thoughts rushed through his mind like rapids over a craggy boulder, and he felt as if he were about to crash into it. I’m hopping out here on crutches.… I’m going to fall and hurt myself.… I’ll have to leave before I’m finished.… It’s going to be embarrassing, he bemoaned silently.
Then Jared prayed.
And God showed up.
On stage, Jared threw his paint on the black background as usual. Using his fingers as brushes, he began to fill in the form and colors, all the while praying, “God, please show up for me and make it all work out. I feel lost right now … please help me. …”
When Jared finished his painting, he stepped back.
A soft gasp rose from the audience. God had allowed him to paint a beautiful picture of Christ on the cross—in spite of his injury and the inferior canvas—a painting that surprised even him.
It was then Jared realized the arm of the Lord was painting right along with him.
“Oh Lord GOD! You yourself made the heavens and earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!” (Jeremiah 32:17 CSB).
Allow God to instill a passion and a purpose for serving Him as you let go of your fear and believe. Pushing through our fears can release the power of God.
Emerson, Jared. “Interactive Artist.” Game Plan for Life. Accessed August 11, 2020. https://www.gameplanforlife.com/jared-emerson.
Emerson, Jared. Jared Emerson: Art Reaches Everyone. Accessed August 11, 2020. https://jaredemerson.com/.
Emerson, Jared. “Ridiculous.” TEDx Oaks Christian School YouTube video, 12:13. March 16, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW9rYYUXGVE.
Story read by: Nathan Walker
Story written by: Toni M Babcock, https://www.facebook.com/toni.babcock.1