Broken and Praising (2008 Lincoln Berean Church Exalt His Name Together Project)
Foam, Metallic Acrylic, and glass
With help from Pam Apley
Current Location: Lincoln Berean Church; 70th and HWY 2; Lincoln, NE
BROKEN PRAISE began as a sketch in my sketch book long before the Exalt His Name Together Project came about. After having completed one mosaic with Pam Apley, God challenged me to complete this sculpture which was partially complete, within one week’s time in order to have it ready for display. I asked God to show me whether this was to happen or not and He cleared my schedule of running children all around town, in order to complete the mosaic portion of this sculpture. I am truly amazed at how God provided time for this project’s completion.
I really did not begin with a meaning for this sculpture, God showed it to me as I created. True collaboration was learned as I worked and Pam made herself available to help me complete it which revealed that part of community where one comes along side of another in stressful times to help and encourage. Due to conversations with Pam as we worked, and as I had some alone time working with and worshiping God, He showed me the meaning of the sculpture. As we looked at the random placement of glass pieces it was brought to our attention that the figures had varying sized pieces of glass which were representational of how each of us are different. As I reflected on this a bit more, God showed me how the glass pieces represent all the shattered parts our lives are made up of: death, sickness, addictions, estrangement, divorce, anger, depression, to name a few, and how God takes these parts of our live and grows us through them. When we are believers in Christ, even though our lives may be filled with not so great things, we still can worship Him, especially when we come together in community, simply because He is worthy to be praised. This coming together serves as a “holding up,” an encouraging of one another as we look to exalt our King and Maker. This is reflected in this work by the tower of people connected by arms and legs forming a solid sculpture of praise.
I hope we will be challenged to reach out and encourage others in pain or even praise amidst our own struggle in order to give glory to our King.
Foam, Metallic Acrylic, and glass
With help from Pam Apley
Current Location: Lincoln Berean Church; 70th and HWY 2; Lincoln, NE
BROKEN PRAISE began as a sketch in my sketch book long before the Exalt His Name Together Project came about. After having completed one mosaic with Pam Apley, God challenged me to complete this sculpture which was partially complete, within one week’s time in order to have it ready for display. I asked God to show me whether this was to happen or not and He cleared my schedule of running children all around town, in order to complete the mosaic portion of this sculpture. I am truly amazed at how God provided time for this project’s completion.
I really did not begin with a meaning for this sculpture, God showed it to me as I created. True collaboration was learned as I worked and Pam made herself available to help me complete it which revealed that part of community where one comes along side of another in stressful times to help and encourage. Due to conversations with Pam as we worked, and as I had some alone time working with and worshiping God, He showed me the meaning of the sculpture. As we looked at the random placement of glass pieces it was brought to our attention that the figures had varying sized pieces of glass which were representational of how each of us are different. As I reflected on this a bit more, God showed me how the glass pieces represent all the shattered parts our lives are made up of: death, sickness, addictions, estrangement, divorce, anger, depression, to name a few, and how God takes these parts of our live and grows us through them. When we are believers in Christ, even though our lives may be filled with not so great things, we still can worship Him, especially when we come together in community, simply because He is worthy to be praised. This coming together serves as a “holding up,” an encouraging of one another as we look to exalt our King and Maker. This is reflected in this work by the tower of people connected by arms and legs forming a solid sculpture of praise.
I hope we will be challenged to reach out and encourage others in pain or even praise amidst our own struggle in order to give glory to our King.