The art on the Landing was commissioned especially for The Hive and is packed full of symbolism – visible and invisible.
Wildflowers
This gift of grace is a gift for everyone and anyone. The most famous verse in the Bible is John 3.16. The message version relays this verse like this:
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.”
This is an invitation to all people!
5 Bees
The number 5 appears 345 times in the bible and has a symbolic meaning of God’s grace. The Bees represent the gathered and the scattered nature of Rayleigh Baptist Church bringing God’s grace into the world and gathering together too. Bees go and come back together again and whether they are scattered or gathered they are part of the same hive, just as Christians are always part of the Church wherever they are.
9 Seeds
Blowing in the wind to land and multiply anywhere represent the 9 aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. The prayer that accompanies this painting is that Rayleigh Baptist Church would grow in the likeness of Jesus, showing the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Cosmos
This abstract cosmic scene in the background is a reminder of the role Rayleigh Baptist Church has in serving and blessing the nations. God’s vision for the world is for the whole world. It’s big and He calls us to be people who change this world for His glory!
Invisible
The most important part of this painting is that which isn’t painted: The shape created through the 4 canvases form a cross in the middle as a reminder of the most outrageous gift given to this world. The grace (the free gift of God’s undeserved love) shown through the gift of Jesus means that we can get to know God personally.
If you’re reading this, the invitation is open.
Explore the art, think about the words, and maybe ask yourself:
What if the love, hope, and welcome of Jesus could be for me too?
You may find something that resonates deeply with your own journey.
If you’d like to discuss your response to any of the artwork or reflections, we’d love to chat with you over a coffee.
Get in touch – details below 👇🏻
