Acts 26:18
FROM DARKNESS
I envisioned a girl living in the heights of wealth, surrounded by luxury, yet bound by invisible chains. The towering archways symbolize the battle for freedom that money can't buy. Sin casts long shadows where we hide in shame, yet salvation is never distant; it is just one step away. I portrayed this by deepening the shadows of the archways to contrast dramatically against the light that shines the truth ready to be embraced. In her solitude, she walks the dark corners and shadows of the castle, hiding from the light, much like when Adam and Eve hid themselves from God, and like every one of us as well.
We often forget that we face a difficult battle after we’ve sinned: do we let shame drive us deeper into the darkness, or do we confess, and accept His mercy that washes us clean? Satan will try to deceive us into thinking that we are too far gone, or that we must earn God's love, and so, we hesitate — fearful that if God truly saw us, He would turn away.
But the truth is, God already knows every sin we will commit and every time we will forsake Him, and yet, His love for us remains a gift. He is not waiting to condemn us — He is waiting to forgive us. We just have to turn to Him.
TO LIGHT
In my painting, she takes that pivotal step, turning from Satan’s grip towards the everlasting love of God. I wanted to capture the feeling that warms our hearts when we repent. To do this I painted the setting with inspiration from the lush, surreal mountains of Hawaii and the French Polynesian Islands, and shined the golden glow of a setting sun on them.
Repentance is realizing there is nothing we can do to save ourselves because Jesus has already done it. His sacrifice paid our debt in full, allowing us to step into His presence—cleansed, forgiven, and redeemed. Through Him, there is no gap between the darkness and the light, and no separation between man and God.
Like the girl in my painting, we all face a choice. Will we remain in the shadows, where Satan and his lies dwell, or will we take that step into the light—where grace, mercy, and freedom await from the God of the universe, who created us and chose us to be His.