A Window to Heaven

To begin my journey, I hardly knew anything about Eikons when I first stumbled across them. So, in researching this particular art form, I soon discovered that icons were rarely created for art. Strangely enough, in the midst of something so mundane as research, which, by the way, is insanely exciting to me, the word "Eikon" came to light and something inside just "clicked." I had always thought icons were simply a style of ancient religious paintings. However, I found out differently as I scoured everything I could get my hands on to understand this elusive term, "Eikon." I was amazed! My spirit was jumping up and down! A genuinely, authentic "Aah ha! Moment!"

Simply, the word Eikon, commonly an Orthodox variant of today's spelling and pronunciation the of word icon, is a specific vehicle or conduit for communion allowing the Spirit of God to touch the heart and soul of His children as they reach out to Him. In modern terms, it is likened to today's altar at church, where believers humble themselves to receive a touch from God. These treasured Eikons are found in today's art galleries; notably, predominate in Orthodox Christian churches, and most particularly in European nations according to various sources. Such Eikons may take the form of a mural, wood panel, or artifact worn about one's neck.

I was amazed to realize that in today's world, prophetic art, could very well be considered an extravagant generational twin of the Eikon. Each display of imagery is comparatively a point of contact for spiritual communion between the heavenly and earthly realm; between Christ and the believer. As with prophetic art, the Eikon is also a cradle of hope wherein God whispers the telling of His love and salvation to humble hearts who have ears to hear and eyes to see the revealing of the Kingdom of God; all the while, assuring all, that God is readily available to answer prayers and grant understanding within their silent meditations and petitions.

These wonderful, intrinsic Eikons, earlier forerunners of a contemporary type of the prophetic or invisible speaking art if you will, do indeed facilitate devotional prayer and meditation by inviting the living presence of God to respond within this intimate conversation of the heart. As a reward of one's faith, Holy Spirit guided imagery encourages the receiving of various impartations, commonly: salvation, miracles, and healings through God's holy love; artistic inspiration, ministerial motivation, including innumerable spiritual encouragements; readily available to anyone seeking to improve the quality of their relationship with Christ no matter their calling or station in life.

However, for the sake of clarity to the faithful, I must say that I do not promote icons to replace the Bible, or Holy Spirit, or the finished work of Christ, but I only seek to share a gentle reminder that these visual memorials encourage us all: seek the face of God; restore our faith; know that He is perpetually available to us, and ever caring for our eternal future with Him. Contrary to occasional misconceptions or possible superstitions, icons have no "mystical" powers of their own. However, I do solemnly believe they have a God-anointed spiritual purpose. Thus, icons are not intended to be worshiped as idols nor worn as a talisman against evil, nor do they serve to deceive and turn the faithful from God. Rather just the opposite is expected and frequently occurs.

As mentioned earlier, Eikons were rarely created as a work of art, but rather as a companion to worship. Not only were earliest ancient Eikons used to educate the common folk who could neither read nor write, nor obviously obtain a copy of Scriptures in their own language, but rather functioned as prophetic tools pointing ultimately to Christ Jesus who is the express image of our heavenly Father, once again assuring the faithful of His divine promise of an afterlife within the eternal presence of the Godhead. In these paintings, the invisible world becomes a type of visual reality to the faithful, calling all to be spiritually minded in times of hardship and difficulty thereby trusting our heavenly Father even more. Eikons provide minuscule glimpses into the heavenly realm where the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, has come to touch the heart of mankind in ways that only His divinity can conceive and He willingly partakes of through the humanness of humanity. . .

Digressing for a moment, remember the aforementioned "click" that I discovered earlier during my research? Well, in essence, referencing my own life, it seems that nearly forty-one years from that day, I found out "why." My answer to a mystery I've pondered all this time. It explains why I continuously felt compelled to draw/paint eyes and faces, profiles of someone and something I didn't understand but knew came out of my spirit time and time again. Faith is said to be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Our calling in Christ is hoped for, yet we only see the evidence of it by our actions, not the purely physical substance of that holy essence called a "calling."

Basically, a "prophetic person" refers to any believer who carries Christ on the throne of one's heart and is usually aware of the deepening desire to follow Christ regardless of the level of consciousness or commitment. In doing so, at some point one is usually awakened to this truth and again is also aware on some level, that the Spirit of God communes within that person. "The still small voice" acknowledged in Scripture is not always a literal voice. Sometimes it's just a sense of something, more like a thought or a knowing, which in the end, proves itself verified as a "God-thing, producing only good fruit." Christ did mention there were mysteries of the Kingdom intended for believers to understand, including revelations that would indeed be realized even more and more as His Second Coming is profoundly evident. So, more times than not, one simply acknowledges or recognizes "that" particular something as His Voice. Scripture says His sheep will know His voice. Each person has their own voice pattern, including God. He speaks to hearts in ways they will recognize whether their minds can consciously discern the mechanics of His actual voice or not.

Nevertheless, after researching the Eikon, I began to understand, acknowledge and appreciate a lot of the clues I had been given over the years, but could not previously connect until the appointed time. Simply put, I am convinced that I have been painting Eikons all my life. Painting them in faith, not understanding the what or why, but obeying the Spirit within, always seeking to share the love of God in Christ with any and all that would care to spend a moment viewing the art that has been so intensely and faithfully produced on canvas. Yes, I am able to paint other things, but when it is all said and done, it all comes back to Christ, painting the dove eyes that keep watch over me and you. The eyes that see every person washed in His blood, clean and pure, clothed in a love so unimaginable it shines with a light so glorious, that I for one, know that I would be lost in a chilling eternal darkness forever without it. Thank God, the love and person of Jesus Christ himself will never leave me, nor forsake me, but has made a place of rest, a place of warmth, comfort, and safety where not only I but all who shall believe in Him, shall abide within His presence forever. I am convinced by both experience and research, as well as Scripture, that Eikons are truly a window to heaven. Wouldn't you agree?