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This is the thirteenth scene in my series of The Christian journey illustrations & the first one set in autumn, which represents older age in the woman’s life; the so-called “twilight years”, inevitably moving towards physical death… and what lies beyond!

Rather than showing the woman (this time seen wearing a blue jumper & jeans) walking along a path, in this scene she has stopped and is still. She is praying to her heavenly Father; she has entered a time of quiet introspection; wondering about her life & what she is doing. Perhaps she is experiencing doubt about which way to go forward in her journey of faith. There is a map and compass before the woman, which represent her uncertainty & doubts, and her deep desire to receive some Godly confirmation that she is going to right way in her life. She is mature enough in her faith to recognise that on occasion God can seem to be far away from her (but knowing that He is not!); to realise that reading her Bible (which is open beside her, on a rock) is a great way to receive the positive encouragement & direction she needs at this time.

The title of this picture “Yearning to yield” illustrates the need to stop running around in desperation &/or confusion; to quieten ourselves; to still our worried minds & to seek the council of our heavenly Father, who is always available to help us, direct us and comfort us in our journey of faith. The “natural”, human response to confusion, uncertainly and doubt is to try harder than ever; to attempt to rely on ourselves and our own knowledge & self-determination to get us out of any difficult situation we face. Trying harder may seem like the right answer to our difficulties, but sometimes it isn’t. A Christian knows that God is always available to help us, if we ask Him too. We don’t have to walk the journey of faith on our own. Our heavenly Father promised to send the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26), who councils us and guides us, IF we let him. [1]

On the ground there are two wooden signs pointing to “My way” & “Your way”. Notice that the “Your way” sign has a cross on it, indicating that this is the way of Christianity. There is a man in a red shirt who is calling to the woman wearing a blue jumper & jeans, encouraging her to continue on the road that leads to deeper understanding about Jesus and Christianity.

Notice that the “My way” direction also has a man on it, dressed in blue. He is pointing to a way that seems good & helpful. Going our own way often seem “good” or “right”, but as many people have found out, going “My way” often leads to a place of turmoil, self-indulgence, greed for pleasure, and selfish ambition. It takes a humble person to admit that “My way” is the wrong way; that “My way” hasn’t brought me hope, life satisfaction, contentment, or peace. “My way” can never actually bring any of these things. It may be counter-intuitive to us, but giving up “My way” in favour of “Your way” (i.e. God’s way) is actually the way to experience hope, satisfaction, contentment & peace.

Notice also that I have included a “spiritual lens” in this scene, which allows us to see into the spiritual realm, which we are usually unable to perceive. The lens reveals two daemons tugging at the man in blue, leading him on towards the “My way” of selfishness.

[1]
How the Holy Spirit as Counsellor helps us.
1) Teaches: Provides divine insight and understanding of spiritual truth.
2) Reminds: Recalls Jesus’s teachings when believers need wisdom.
3) Intercedes: Helps believers in times of weakness and prays on their behalf (Romans 8:26: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”).
4) Comforts & Strengthens: Acts as a constant presence so believers are not left orphaned or alone.

Here’s the rough pencil sketch I drew for this scene.

The Christian journey – Scene 13 – Yearning to yield (Female) – Greyscale Pencil