CREATING SPACE TO LISTEN
Christine Labrum
Artist & Spiritual Director
CROSSES and TREES
Engaging the Journey
Watercolors/Pen & Ink
2017
11 x 14 in
This image reflects our internal journey and external journey with God. The tree represents a soul. The landscape and paths within the tree speak to the interior of our heart. The paths that surround the tree represent our external journey; we navigate a variety of seasons, climates, and terrain. The seeds of the tree represent the fruit of our lives abiding in the Spirit.
The tree is rooted in and nourished by Jesus Christ, our living water, indwelt by the flame of the Spirit, and the light of Abba Father sustains us. The Triune God is our creator, Savior, and our source.
The wall/stones around the tree represent the flesh patterns we develop, our habits of self-sufficiency. God is dismantling our wall with us bringing healing and wholeness. And the trees at the bottom are evidence that we do not stand alone, but we exist in community.
This image is available in a large worksheet as a black and white line drawing.
Nourished and Sustained
Pen and Ink/Watercolors
2016
11 x 14 in
An image of a tree, a life, rooted in the Living Water (Jesus, our Savior), enveloped by the Wind (Spirit of God), illuminated and thriving in the life giving heat and light of the Sun (our Abba Father).
The river sweeps down to surround the tree. It moves freely and boldly, offering life. Roots sink deep seeking nourishment in the living water. Branches reach for the sun, and leaves unfurl in the light. Although there are shadows where the light seems hidden the wind reaches every crevice and the heat of the sun sustains life in both winter and summer. Beneath the canopy - light and wind dance. Fiery reds and oranges flicker in the stable core - indwelt but not consumed.
The created thrives - tangled limbs and scarred trunk, colorful and vibrant - surrounded, redeemed, sustained, and nourished by the Triune Creator.
And the wall that surrounds the tree represents the false self; the set of heart habits, sin, and coping patterns that God dismantles to set us free. The wall loses strength and stability as the tree thrives in dependence on God.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Seasons on the Journey
February 2014
Pen and ink/Watercolors
11 x 14 in and 8 x 10 in limited edition
As a spiritual director and as a follower of Jesus I am often contemplating the spiritual journey. As I look back on my life and listen to the stories of others I am moved by the many seasons and experiences of our walk with God. This drawing portrays some of them.
Often there is a place where we begin (although what has occurred before that invitation to "step out" is part of the journey as well). There are seasons of discernment where choices must be made; a fork in the road so to speak. There are autumn seasons when the colors are brilliant, and the harvest is abundant. But, there is a chill in the air and a grief draws near. There are also places where we walk through the woods and everything seems close and dark, mysterious even. Then there is the desert where we are thirsty and depleted from the lonely, arid conditions that surround us.
When I started this drawing, "Seasons on the Journey", it was the misty, gray mountainside that drew my attention. At that time the uncertainty and the ambiguity concerning the unknown around the corner felt familiar to me. It seemed like a quiet place, and God was quiet.
There is the winter season when all is still and barren. It seems as though life has ceased. If the snow has fallen one is not even sure where the path is any longer. But something is happening beneath the surface in the winter. This is fallow time, and God is at work. In contrast, there is the new beginning of springtime when beauty and life abound, and the path seems clear and direct.
There are so many seasons and experiences to the journey as we walk with God; these are just some images to sketch a few. But God’s hand works in all of the seasons to draw us deeper into His love and allow us to experience Him more fully. God is forming us into the image of Christ and bringing beauty out of brokenness (which is the image of the stained glass.) Christ our Living Water who sacrificed His life blood for us is portrayed through the cross and the blue and red droplets in the stained class design. And the rays of dark (suffering) and light (celebration) remind me that He uses all things to accomplish His purposes in our lives.
Soaked and Nourished
Pen and Ink/Watercolors
2015
11 x 13 in and 8 x10 in
As a tree soaks up the nourishment of the fallen rain and the flowing river so we need to receive and absorb the love of God.
One weekend I sat in a quiet room on the 3rd floor of an old building, and I watched the rain pour down. I listened to the drops drumming on the roof, and I watched the sheets of water reach to saturate the ground. The earth needed the rain that day...it was dry and thirsty. For hours I sat in the quiet and let the dust settle in my soul. And it rained.
And God whispered, "You need to be nourished too. Let my love soak your soul." There were no audible words, but my heart knew the truth of it.
"...rooted and grounded in love..." Ephesians 3:17
The Wooden Cross
Pen and Ink/Watercolors
2014
11 x 14 in
This image was created reflecting on the invitation to surrender and die to self. The cross reminds us that we die to self in order to live to Christ. There is death and there is new life in the spiritual journey. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross provided our salvation and our renewal. We have been made new and alive in Him.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Navigating the Storm
Pen and Ink/Watercolors
2015
11 x 14 in
This drawing was created as I reflected on the difficult times in life when we experience a trial, a challenge, a crisis or a loss. It can feel like a dangerous and tumultuous storm has arisen.
I reflected on the account of the disciples and Jesus in the boat when a storm arose on the lake (Matthew 8:23-27).
"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, Lord, save us! Were going to drown!
He replied, You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
There are character qualities that God grows in our lives that can only be sown in the storms. We learn to rely on the God who is present. We learn to pray through our fear. We look for the light and we choose to trust.