Reflection of Choice
“Reflection of Choice” is about the daily choices we all make. Behind the woman are two different birds that represent our choices.
The raven is a symbol of temptation. It is large and noisy. The dove represents the choice of leaning on and trusting God.
In the story or Noah and the great flood, Noah releases a raven to see if the waters have receded. It flies back and forth but is no help. Then Noah uses a dove. The dove keeps returning because it has nowhere to perch that is safe. Finally, it brings back an olive branch to show that the waters had receded. Noah waited seven more days, then he released the dove one more time . The dove did not return, so he knew it was safe to leave the ark. (Genesis 8:1-12)
In Deuteronomy 30:19 it says, “…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to Him.” God gives us the choice: life or death. He also gives us the answer: Choose life!
The woman stands in for the ‘every person.’ Her garment is made of the world we live in. However, there is something even greater than the world we see: the spiritual realm. The vastness of space represents the spiritual realm or the ‘heavens.’ Our lives reflect the choices that we make so it is wise to be aware of the options and consequences of the decisions we make.
The red calligraphic line represents prayer and it is significant that it is on the dove’s side of the painting.
This painting is in a private collection