In July 2012 I enjoyed the privilege of ministering with Theresa Dedmon in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Theresa told me I was to paint for the Victorian politician who was attending the service that day and then interpret the painting for him after worship in front of the church. This was the first painting I had done in a worship setting. I already had an impression of what to paint and the interpretation for it weeks beforehand. I was so excited and it came easily.
I painted golden poppies with the words honoured and precious on the canvas. The politician was attracted to my painting during worship, not knowing it was for him. There were three other painters on stage, but he was excited to see what mine would be the whole time.
The painting glorified God’s creation, His people. In California it’s illegal to cut down golden poppies. From heaven’s perspective, it’s just as wrong to cut down the people of Australia because they come from God’s heart. Saved or unsaved, they are honored and precious in His sight.
When I presented it to the politician, he was extremely touched because it came against the tall poppy syndrome that the Australian culture is known for. He got so excited, he said he was going to put it up in his office in Parliament House in Melbourne! He said people would ask about it because it wasn’t his usual style and he was eager to tell them what it meant.
He then asked me to have lunch with him and gave me his number, urging me to come see the painting in Parliament. We are still in touch. The leaders from this particular church later told me they believed he would be the next Victorian State Premier. What an honor to see God influence someone at that level.
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