“Rivers in the Desert” © by Donna Gonzalez
I love how this mosaic came out it’s one of my favorites! It is comprised of multiple mosaic panels offset on an angle to create this mesmerizing abstract painting. The use of repeated mosaics creates the effect of movement. The blues and greens capture the rippling movement of fresh water glistening in the sunlight contrasted against the desert browns, yellows, and oranges representing sand and rock.
It reminds me of several scriptures relating to water. However; Isaiah 43:19 seems to say it best as the Lord says:
“Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.”
Those words are part of a longer discourse from the Lord to both Israel and Jacob. In this chapter God repeatedly acknowledges Himself as “The Holy One of Israel” then lists His credentials: your Savior, your Redeemer, your King, your Creator. Then says everyone called by His name He created for His glory. Wow! Incredible words describing our God and our purpose!
The last line of this chapter reads: “…Because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen, This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.”
We try all kind of things to drown out or fix our problems, when really only one thing is needful.
To the outcast, downtrodden: “Jesus answered, ’Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” – John 4:13-14
To those who believe: 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” – John 7:37-39
Many people are lost, walking in a dry wilderness, searching in vain for anything to satisfy a gnawing thirst in their souls which can never be quenched by anything of the world. Those who are born-again and are filled with the Holy Spirit have that living water. The ministry of the Holy Spirit flows out of a heart that has been redeemed by God and it blesses other believers. Through the believer it brings a word of life to a lost and dying world.
And that is why I really love this mosaic, because it not only speaks of the believer’s calling and purpose but it is a constant reminder for the believer to continuously draw strength from Christ. No matter the circumstances or how bleak the situation we may experience or what dry patch of wilderness a believer may go through we look to Jesus. Only He can make a path where one doesn’t exist, bring life out from a barren wasteland, and bring beauty from ashes. Jesus exhorts us to come to Him for wisdom times of refreshment, healing and rejuvenation.
From eternity past to present and for all eternity, Jesus will continue to reign supreme as the Holy One of Israel, our Savior, Redeemer, King, and Creator. In agreement with Peter let us who are redeemed be strengthened in these words: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – I Peter 2:9
Be encouraged!
Donna