Wilderness: A Place Of Hope
Most would probably agree that meandering through a vast wilderness isn’t usually where we’d like to find ourselves, though metaphorically, it is a place we might spend most of our time: living life without a lot of answers, but still placing one foot in front of the other, hoping for a better day tomorrow.
This abstract collection is a visual exploration of finding the purpose behind these wilderness seasons. It’s about finding hope throughout all those times we are left to wonder what the reason might be that we must wander through these hills and mountains, getting hit in the face with different branches, feeling the pain of a burden too heavy to bear.
So what is the hope? Though we may not always see it, it is God who carries us through the wilderness. When we have a relationship with Him, the wilderness can be a place where we can be found, refined, and guided by God.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3
Because of Jesus, we can walk in a love that is not earned but freely given. I invite you to a new love. To a new, wild wilderness where you can know you’re loved. This is where you can trust. This is where you’re cleansed. This is a place of hope, where you don’t have to walk alone.
What inspired this art collection:
Books:
No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green | He was only twenty-eight when he died in a plane crash with two of his small children, but singer/songwriter Keith Green had already created a legacy of music and inspiration that would outlive him. A spiritual revolutionary, he found freedom through Jesus, not religion, and spent his last years convincing others to refuse to accept the status quo and instead to bring compassion and honesty back to the church.
Walking in Wonder | John O'Donohue, beloved author of To Bless the Space Between Us, is widely recognized as one of the most charismatic and inspirational enduring voices on the subjects of spirituality and Celtic mysticism. These timeless exchanges, collated and introduced by Quinn, span a number of years and explore themes such as imagination, landscape, the medieval mystic Meister Eckhart, aging, and death.
Hearing God’s Voice Made Simple | Today, many are skeptical that God is speaking or that we can know with certainty we're hearing Him accurately. Hearing God's Voice Made Simple makes the case that God is speaking and that we can learn to hear Him.
Trustworthy | When hard times come and it seems God is deviating from the plan we assume our life should follow, we’re much more likely to want to tame God, not trust Him. It’s then that we begin to press into our ways and our own timing. No human can carry the weight of being their own god, but so many of us try. In this 6-session study of 1 & 2 Kings, you can join Lysa TerKeurst in Israel as she honestly reveals the places of distrust in her own heart while exploring the deeply personal applicable Scriptures that will teach us how to truly trust God.
All That is Made | All That Is Made is a guide for readers exploring the intersection of creativity and faith. Humans are creative; it is a quality embedded in the fabric of our being, and a reality that reflects our existence as being made in the image of God. It is a first step, the beginning of a conversation that allows readers to engage their faith and creativity against the larger backdrop of the God who has made all that is made.
Media:
Compelled Podcast | Compelled Podcast uses gripping, immersive storytelling to bring Christian testimonies to life.
Christianity 101 | The real purpose of salvation is not living forever in hea |ven, as great as that will be. The real purpose of salvation is to have intimacy—a personal relationship with the Lord God. There are multitudes of people who have cried out to God for the forgiveness of their sins but have never had intimacy with God as a goal.
Devotionals by Alabaster Co | Following God's lead and experiencing the world around us with a posture of wonder and delight.
Movies:
I Can Only Imagine | The inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song that brings ultimate hope to so many is a gripping reminder of the power of true forgiveness.
The Chosen (Series) | The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus. The Chosen allows us to see Him through the eyes of those who knew Him.
About the artist:
Erin Oostra is a contemporary painter and visual designer best known for her impressionistic paintings inspired by the mountains, valleys, and waterways of Washington State. Erin’s work has been featured all across the Pacific Northwest and she continues to expand her reach as she operates Nuwave Gallery.
With textured, fluid strokes, her latest works capture a passion for the her Creator and His creation. Custom orders welcome.
Website: erinoostra.com | Instagram: @erinoostra
