During a 2003 visit to the Chicago Art Museum, I’d wandered for hours viewing old and famous exhibits and was mildly amused until I saw this “bas relief.” Tears burst forth and I didn’t know why. For awhile, anyways. Though the artists interpretation isn’t even close to my own, I am beginning to glimpse what was touched inside.
I see the image as revealing one horse in a sequence of evolving postures. Let’s just say, I see myself as the horse. The man running alongside, (the perfect specimen of worldly attraction and wisdom) carries a torch pointing down. If it was pointing up, it might represent light or illumination, but since it points down, I see it as the opposite, namely, darkness.
His left hand exerts control on the muzzle of a partially emerged “me.” Think control as in legalism, bondage, maybe even well-intentioned leadership and guidance.
The next horse has a different posture. Slightly more emerged. A sudden awareness of “freedom.” An awareness of “Hey, I don’t need to place myself under that authority.” Hang in there with me. I’m not describing rebellious self-sufficiency here. Rather, I’m thinking “redemption!”
Redemption transforms me as the final posture of the horse illustrates a new “me” having discovered something unique about myself. Uniquely created. Uniquely gifted. Uniquely called. Now fully emerged and thoroughly enjoying it. Exploring its “horseness” if you will.
I fluctuate between all three postures. When I’m at my best, I stop my posing and performing and start living out from my core understanding of who God’s created me to be. This is a halting and stumbling process. I love it. I love the relatively new perception of how powerful “art” can be to stir up good things in my soul. Enjoy!
Barnyard of Heaven 