Dr. Mrs. Nina Gunter, Director of World Missions for the Church
of the Nazarene told a story about a little church in the former Soviet Union
after the fall of Communism. That former underground church now had permission
to put a sign over the door of their church. What would they paint on it? What
name could they give their tiny church?During a prayer meeting one man spoke
up quietly. "I will paint the sign and bring it here tomorrow."He
returned the next day with the sign. They nailed it above the door for all to
see. It simply read . . .
"The Lamb Won"
When Dr. Gunter finished telling the story, immediately, I knew what
the picture should look like. I knew that in the softness of the lamb's fur
there would be the faces of people who made up the body of Christ, who were
a part of bringing the message of Christ to the world.
After that, it was just work...leg work, mind work, art work.
I gathered snapshots of friends who had participated in short and long term
mission projects. It would be their faces I planned to draw onto the lamb. Next,
I asked a friend if I could take pictures at her lamb farm. She said yes, so
I drove out to the farm and shot 3 or 4 rolls of film of a bunch of very skittish
little lambs.
Next it was off to the photo shop. By now it had been over a month since I had
heard the story. I was intent on getting the drawing done. The message had touched
my heart profoundly and I knew it was a picture that had to be drawn. I dropped
off the film and impatiently waited for the pictures to be developed.
When I went to pick up the developed film I almost passed out
when the clerk said there had been a problem and they could pitch one of the
rolls and give me a replacement or ..." Please, just let me see the pictures.
Then I can decide." What had happened? I could’t stand it. Was God
trying to tell me that this wasn't right, that this wasn't His picture? My hands
were shaking as I pulled the photos out of the package. To my absolute amazement
they had been double exposed: there were people's faces on the lambs. It wasn't’t
a reprimand or anything from God, He did want my attention to be on Him, though
and not on this drawing. And, it was confirmation. Beyond anything people could
do or had done, He won. That’s the story. It’s been several years
now and it still amazes me. The Lamb Won.
I hope you enjoy the web site. Please share any comments by
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God Bless,
Rusty
