Here is a picture I painted of the Geelong foreshore. Families love to congregate there and soak up the sun and sea while hanging out together. It’s a picture of belonging. God laid this one on my heart for you all for several months prior to this showing.
As you watch people talking and eating together there it reminds me of the importance of strong friendships and community. I think there’s a need to develop better quality relationships that endure the test of time and difficulties faced.
Covid-times have brought isolation and can lead to despair and withdrawal which is not healthy. Our sense of connection and belonging is tested.
I am reminded of king David and Jonathan, son of Saul we read about in 1 Samuel chapter 18 and 23 verse 16. Their friendship endured despite facing extreme pressures Jonathan knew God had chosen David to be king.
Jonathan saw David defeat Goliath and the way he carried himself and was convinced of his calling to be king. So, Jonathan loved David despite being next in line to inherit the throne of his own father, King Saul, and his many attempts to kill David. And even though he had little in common with David, both in terms of his standing and age, Jonathon bonded powerfully to help him.
This bond enabled David to find strength in God to endure his sufferings.
This kind of friendship is also reflected in the strong complementary colours I have used in my picture. See how the darker sea blues and oranges accentuate their individual colour intensity and vibrancy. For me they symbolise a deeper message God is speaking in this hour to our nation.
God is wanting us to form deep covenantal relationships among his disciples so he can accomplish his greater kingdom purposes. He will help us transcend our natural limitations to bond deeply with others clearly called of God.
You can belong. In 1 Samuel chapter 18 it says, “God knit Jonathan’s heart to David’s heart” after David defeated Goliath. David knew he fought God’s battle and was God’s man. His vertical relationship was right with God translating into horizontal relationships like glue, by the spirit’s power.
God can help us bond supernaturally and beat any negativity we may face through these powerful relationships. And I sense God wants to say to someone reading this article that, “This message is for you specifically.
I feel God’s spirit is highlighting the date July 17 for some reason as an important date in your life or also it’s someone you know and is for them. He is leading you to knit hearts. New friends and a sense of I-belong.” Bless you!
Mark Rusic was born in Melbourne and has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He became a missionary to many, suffering hardship and poverty on Madura Island in Indonesia, in 1990 for about four years. He worked as a pastor-life coach with Hope International Ministries from 2002 to May 2023, playing a key role in raising up leaders and elders for the local Melbourne Hope church, which lead today. Mark has also been active in conducting yearly trips to remote Indigenous communities, bringing teams for training and outreach, which he initiated from 2015. He also established a salt and light ministry to empower saints of influence in the marketplace from 2017.
Mark is also an artist and an author and has written two books which are both a collection of his own paintings, photography, and poetry. These include ‘Iconic Melbourne of Australia’ and ‘Iconic Animals of Australia- With a voice to release your giant potential within,’ which are available now on booktopia.com.au and at leading book retailers. He has been counted among some of Australia’s best authors on several occasions through Dymocks since 2014 and continues to be a motivational speaker in various community groups, organisations, and churches.
He is currently pioneering his itinerant ministry to bless Indigenous people and empower the body of Christ, while working as an artist, author and speaker.