At the beginning of this year, by the grace of God I was selected to be one of the twelve participating artists for The Unveiling Arts Festival 2020. This event aims to engage people in a deeper understanding of the Gospel and the heart of God by sharing insights through the creative arts, relating to specific themes.
This year’s theme for the Arts Festival, ‘Beauty from Brokenness’ spoke so much to me on an intimate level.
Before I came to know Christ, I thought I was self-sufficient and I delighted in academic achievements and career progression in order to please my family and to meet their expectations.
Half way through my studies at medical school, my life was interrupted by a mental health illness. I could not understand what was going on at the time. However, it was during that dark moment in my life that I came face to face with Jesus. I realised that this very personal God accepted all of me, including all of my flaws and weaknesses. As I sought after God, He spoke to me via 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Even though I felt out of my depth to meet with my challenges head on, yet it is precisely when I acknowledged my weaknesses that I fully trusted in God’s strength.
I persevered to complete my medical degree and carried out two years of training in the NHS. Paradoxically, I was once a doctor and a patient at the same time. My medical knowledge provided me an in-depth insight into my own mental health illness which other patients might otherwise lack, and I adhered to the medication regime even though I encountered some significant side effects. Through my personal struggles, I encountered God’s grace where he pruned me, producing ‘endurance, character, and hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.’
On my journey to healing I realised that God wanted to make something beautiful out of my brokenness and bring healing to others through my art. In preparation for The Unveiling Arts Festival this year, I painted a series of paintings that are inspired by the Holy Spirit and through the process of self-expression, I experienced at first-hand the therapeutic benefits of creative arts. I hope that my artworks stand as a Godly testimony to others in encouraging them to create arts as part of their healing process. Instead of trying to hide my weaknesses, God makes something beautiful out of my brokenness.
God is in every season, in both the light and dark moments of my life. God has always been a strong tower in my life and even in the mess, God has been shining through to glorify Himself.
We are all broken vessels. We all fall short of the standards set out by God in one way or another. None of us are flawless apart from Jesus. We think we will impress people with our strengths, but we connect with people through our vulnerabilities. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” No matter what you face, God will see His vision for your life accomplished as long as you remain a willing instrument for Him to use.