The location that inspired this painting is the stunning Fan Shell Beach, on the 17 Mile Drive near Carmel, CA. I spent many hours enjoying the sound of crashing waves onto mighty rocks, the wind blowing a salty mist, and looking for dolphins and otters peeking up from the deep blue waters. The heart of this painting though, reflected a very difficult time in my life, and someone else’s as well. I will try to explain.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27:4 

It was the darkest day of all time. Jesus, the Son of God, had been brutally beaten then crucified.

Though no sin could be found in Him, He bore all of mine. Past sins. Present sins. Future sins.

How horrible it must have been for Jesus, to be humiliated and condemned by the very people he loved. And to complete the darkness – His own Father, God, turned away from Jesus in the darkness.

 I have known darkness as well. Certainly nothing like the extent that Jesus bore that day, but to me, it was unbearably dark.

• It was the day doctors told me I was going blind.
• It was the day I found myself divorced after nineteen years of marriage.
• It was the day my legs became paralyzed after crushing my spinal cord and I anguished in pain so horrific, I knew I would die.

 Over the next few years, I painted this picture……The dark stormy clouds, the roaring seas crashing furiously against jagged, immovable rocks of despair. My heart was heavy.

 Jesus remained in darkness for only a short time. For darkness could not hold him.

He is after all, all powerful, all knowing, eternally God. When He broke the darkness, it was not gentle or gradual. It was with a missile of pure light. Powerful! Mighty! Explosive!

It was the light of a new morning, of Victory and Joy and Hope!

 As I have sought to follow Jesus, His light has broken my darkness as well. Amazingly, unexplainably, lovingly.

• My eyes were miraculously healed by Jesus. Yes! Praise God!
• My divorce had been covered in forgiveness and love and healing.
• The paralysis was halted, and I could walk again! And Jesus caressed my pain.

Through his darkness, I know His empathy. I still had physical trials, but He made it bearable. Through His victory, I know His hope.

 So, I painted this picture.

I hope you have a moment to glance at this painting. Perhaps God is speaking different thoughts to you. For me, the light is the morning sun, the resurrected Son of God, exploding the darkness away. The mighty sea carries His reflection. Though the darkness tries to hide, His light will reveal all things. His love will cover all things.

 While painting and listening, He gave me a promise to hold on to each time I look at the painting.

 Psalms 30:5 “Weeping may endure for a night, but a shout of joy comes in the Morning”.

 That shout of Joy is a shout of Victory, because of what he’s done for me. What He has given to me! His joy! His hope! His light! His Power!

 I am so grateful! Thank you, dear Lord!

 Linda Blevins