1,218 spools. Approximately 122.6 miles of white thread - 1/4 inch of the thread being red. A young man is looking through the lens of his late grandpa’s glasses at this relatively minuscule colored tip. Why? The young man recognized that at the end of his life, the grandpa was staring deep into the face of eternity which caused him to see this life for what it really is: a vapor. A tiny red blotch on a seemingly endless amount of white thread. His grandpa’s eternal perspective moved the young man in such a way that it caused him to heed the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (= 1,218 spools). This king who had the resources to experience all things in what he deemed as a short vapor of a life, encouraged those who are young to remember their creator in the days of their youth. That’s exactly what this young man was striving to do while creating this massive work of art.

The primary focus of this piece is to address the brevity of our life here on earth verses the infinite nature of the eternal realm. To cause one to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. But what does it mean to “remember your Creator in the days of your youth?” As it pertains to Ephesians 6:10-20, I see it as a call to arms, especially to young people before the “evil days” come. If there truly is a battle going on against the “spiritual forces of evil” in the “heavenly places,” then this piece should create a sense of urgency to put on the full armor of God and join that battle!

Size of piece is 70”x7’ - a figurative number that Jesus uses to explain that our forgiveness for one another should be unending (Matthew 18:21,22). Hence, it’s the perfect size/dimensions for a piece depicting an eternal perspective.

There are two planes on this piece - the older, naturally aged wood panels representing the eternal realm, and the newer stained wood (symbolism of a fallen world).

Vintage spools are from the 40’s, 50’s and 60, adding to the idea of an “older” realm.

Finally, the combined length of all the thread represented by each spool is 122.6 miles - a number I wouldn’t have been able to know until all the spools were gathered and spun. For me, 122.6 = Psalm 122:6. Within this Song of Ascents, as the 12 tribes of Israel make their way to the Holy City, King David says to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” There is a lot to be said about this passage which God presented to me, but as it relates to Ephesians 6:10-20, I can’t help but consider the battles (both physical and Spiritual) that were being fought during and around the time this song was written. In the midst of it all, David calls for prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. It causes me to reflect on the Spiritual battle that is still happening today. I am encouraged by what God is teaching me through this work of art, to pray for peace for the Church in the midst of this battle. Or more specifically, that we put on the “shoes of peace!”