A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
This expression came true to me recently during a visit to a secondhand shop.
You may have heard the saying, "A picture paints a thousand words." This expression came true to me recently during a visit to a secondhand shop. While strolling through the store, my eyes fixed on an amazing painting. When I looked at it, I immediately knew exactly what it said.
The painting had the most awesome table that seemed to go on for miles. It was set with the finest china and crystal. The dawn was just breaking into a beautiful sunrise that cast beautiful light upon the table. Without a word I knew what the painting was all about. This was a painting of a future event that I had read about in Matthew 22:2-3.
Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king [God the Father] who arranged a marriage for his son [Jesus], and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding."
Revelation 19:9 also describes this event: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!"
I bought the painting and quickly hung it on a wall where I can see it daily. No matter how difficult life is, this painting will remind me that, if we endure to the end, I will, and you will, have the honor of sitting at the table with Christ and all the saints who have endured and died before us.
In the painting the seats are empty because they are yet to be filled at Christ's return. At the bottom of the painting there is a scripture, Luke 14:17: "At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready'" (New International Version). In the same context it says, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" (Luke 14:15).
Yes, pictures do paint a thousand words. I did not have to look at the scripture to know what the painting was all about.
Every time I look at that painting I will be reminded that nothing in this life, good or bad, will compare to what God has in store for His saints who endure to the end.
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Janet Treadway
Janet Treadway was born in Washington, D.C., but was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She started attending the Church of God with her mother at the age of 14 along with her twin brother, Jim.
She was baptized at the age of 19 in 1974. She has been involved in various activities, such as serving as the managing editor of UCG’s first teen magazine UsTeens, which was distributed worldwide and published in English and Spanish.
Janet’s first love is writing. She has contributed many articles in various publications such as Vertical Thought, Virtual Christian Magazine, United News and others. Her article “Take Action, Your Life May Depend on It” is also featured in the reprint “The Cycle of Abuse.” Janet draws from her own life’s experiences and challenges when she writes and is motivated to give readers hope that God will see them through anything.
Janet has worked in the home office of the United Church of God since 1998. She is married to Charles Treadway and has four children, David, Michelle, Michael and Josh, as well as six grandchildren and two granddogs, Jo Jo and Vinny.
