I don't know about you dear reader but in the past especially, and even now at times, I have been prone to rush in to things without careful thought, or prayer. Maybe this was the only way I could get past my over-thinking and procrastination! I've certainly got that T-shirt as well!! But I realise that in faith and trust, there is a middle way of peace, when careful preparation and thought can save time and mistakes, and make it easier to keep focussed on the task in hand.
I started learning this through painting - watercolours of landscapes initially. I would be inspired by a particular view, or object and sometimes immediately a Word from Scripture would come to my mind. That would stay with me during the painting and become embedded in the image. When I felt drawn to start to paint icons of saints, the life of the saint was always in the background, but I have to say the technical side of painting with egg-tempera (dry pigments mixed with egg yolk etc) on Gesso (a chalk and rabbit-skin glue surface sanded quite finely) took precedence for a while. But as the technique and iconographic drawing improved I was able to focus again on the Word giving life to the image. In fact there is an unwritten rule that only when the title is added to the painting does it become an icon. This was crucial as I started painting icons for the Feasts of the church.
It is crucial to immerse oneself in the Texts of the Service which celebrates the particular event depicted, the birth of Christ for example. With examples of previous icons, I choose models that are helpful to what I have been asked to portray, but I need to decide on the Spiritual truth that will be embedded......I need to know what Word will be included in the 'story' being told.
You may wonder what this has got to do with you and me and ordinary life. I am simply illustrating, that we need to own our lives in the world, whatever stage or state we are currently in, and take responsibility for it as a living Word. This day you and I are individually painting 'an icon'....... what colours, or moods are you wanting to offer others? We are all made in the image of God, who is love...whether we believe or not. We can all choose to let God's image carry us forward, in faith, patience, goodness, blessing, and even 'praise in all circumstances', or we let circumstances and separation dictate our mood and how we treat others. If you pray and ask what you need to offer that day, you may find just one of these virtues being your gift to the world...and you get the joy of living it out!!
Let not Your Heart be Troubled.
I am encouraging myself in this lockdown to remember 'I have choices' - and I would like to offer encouragement to you too. Even in lockdown we can choose to pray and ask for help, not only for ourselves but others who have lost hope, courage, or the Truth of who they are. We may be moved to phone, or send a letter, or create some 'act of love' that will have a purpose in God's Kingdom...even if we don't see the end purpose at present.
I am about to start the preparation for three key icons of Christ: The Crucifixion, The Resurrection and Pentecost. I must stay focussed on His Life, death and Resurrection...and the sharing of that Life through the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Disciples. But the prophets said, long before the incarnation of Christ into the world as 'Son of Man, Son of God', that 'I will pour out My Spirit on all people'...... And even the disciples came across people who already had the gift of the Spirit directly from God. So we all need to be open to His Word, preparing and inspiring us each day.
May the Word that you are inspired with from deep in your heart, bring light and hope to you and all who see the 'icon' you are depicting today and every day.