Years ago, I was browsing the aisles of a vintage shop and came home with a wire purse. It’s a strange thing—a receptacle to hold valuables, yet with openings where loss is most probable. It intrigued me… At the time, I had no idea what it would become, but felt sure it had a future. This is it.

Our congregation has been studying discipleship over the past three months. In weekly sermons, we’ve been journeying through the Gospel of Mark, focusing on various aspects of discipleship. As the series concluded, three artists were invited to interpret the subject through our chosen mediums. We shared our perceptions as the congregation viewed our art and engaged in a practice called Visio Divina.

Visio Divina is Latin for “sacred seeing”. It’s an ancient form of Christian prayer in which hearts and imaginations enter into an image—in silence—to see what God is saying.

I struggled with how to represent discipleship through letter forms. I could simply write out a passage, but the invitation to create a sacred image called for something deeper—a response that engaged viewers. That was the challenge. What was my response?

As I reflected on the Gospel of Mark, I was drawn to many ideas, but one stood out. There are three occasions when Jesus says, “Come, follow me”. I did not see this as a command: ‘follow me’, but rather as an invitation: ‘come, follow me’.

Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said [to the fishers], “and I will send you out to fish for people.” [Blue text ribbon]

Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him [the rich young man] and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [Green text ribbon]

Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [Brown text ribbon]

A closer look at the Gospel shows there are various responses to the invitation: ‘come, follow me’. Some say yes. Some say no. Some, we don’t know. However, for all, it’s a turning point. Crossroads are pivotal.

Visio Divina—sacred seeing.

‘Come, Follow Me’ features mixed media including wire, metal flashing, linden branch, linen cord, paper, and ink.