This is another one of Duane's drawings where the subject seems to be standing in or facing light. The last one I posted I had called "In The Light." I haven't given this one a title, but I did ask for comments from friends and family as to what it meant to them. Here is what I received:
"The shadows look like a bird swooping in, almost as if it's a protective shadow. But without the metaphorical view, it seems to show curiosity, he wants to know what's in those woods, or he hears something, and doesnt know whether to check it out or not. And knowing Duane, lol, he'd check it out."
My response to that was, "Yes, you're definitely right - he would check it out!"
"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me..... comes to mind first... also the images remind me of 1. a desert with dry brush aka tumbleweeds blowing about 2. a swamp that he is wallowing in as he continues towards the light at the narrow end of the darkness 3. look at the figure: the light is casting a shadow behind him, he is walking/making his way towards the light."
"I'm seein' an Island cove, on a moon-lit night and someone wading out to get a better view of the rising moon, maybe more intrigued by it or drawn to it.
And a large wave, with some sort of Aztec writing on it, is about to crash down on this person. It also looks like a bolt or rod or something is coming down out of the wave. And the fern-like shapes on the bottom left,
I think they are leaves on the shore."
"To me it looks like the man is vulnerable, being naked in water; trusting and willing to go up the narrow path (the stream) even though surrounded by dangers (darkness and shadows); he is trusting that he will be safe; he knows he has nothing on his own to make it through; that is why his arms and hands show he is trusting God and ready to obey. Scriptures support that he is protected even when the water overtakes him."
Probably the verse my friend was thinking of was this:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:2-3a Amp. God proved this was true when He led the Israelites through the Red Sea by parting the water (Exodus chapter 14), and when he protected Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego when they were thrown into a fiery furnace. They came out unharmed, not even smelling like smoke! (See Daniel Chapter 3.)
"I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Duane. Looking at alot of his drawings, he was a very spiritual young man. In this drawing I see a young man looking towards the light. You can see the light reflecting off his face and the front of his body. He looks unsure of where he is but with his arms extended, he is giving himself up to the light. I'm sure Duane is always looking down on you and gets great pleasure at everyone discussing his drawings. You will meet again."
Yes, we will meet again and then life will be forever wonderful, as it was meant to be in the first place. Everything will be restored. I really like the thought that Duane is watching and listening and is still very much a part of our lives. I often think of something I read shortly after he departed.... the idea that since, for those who believed in and trusted Christ for their salvation, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" and since the Lord Jesus promised to "never leave us or forsake us" - then it follows that, if they are with Him and He is with us, then Duane can't be very far away.
