YMI Faith in the Face of Fear Artist Gallery 2023

We all face fears in life–there’s the fear of not knowing whether the work we do is good enough, the fear of not doing enough, disappointing our parents, not having a viable career, not having enough to live on… And sometimes, it can feel like we’re alone in our little boats, floating on a sea of the unknown, and the fears around us are like storms that threaten to overwhelm or capsize our boats.

However, Matthew 8:23-27 reminds us that we believe in a God who holds all our fears, and desires to sit in our boat and steer it with us, so we can see His power at work in our lives as He brings us safely to the destination He has in mind for us.

In this collection of art, we’ve invited artists from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to sail into the depths of creativity, sharing their perspectives on experiencing God’s grace amidst life’s fears through captivating artwork and thoughtful reflections.

As you take a moment to admire each piece of art, allow yourself to dive into the emotions and experiences of the artists’ stories. May you discover hidden gems and pearls of truth to anchor you as you sail through your fears.

We all face fears in life–there’s the fear of not knowing whether the work we do is good enough, the fear of not doing enough, disappointing our parents, not having a viable career, not having enough to live on… And sometimes, it can feel like we’re alone in our little boats, floating on a sea of the unknown, and the fears around us are like storms that threaten to overwhelm or capsize our boats.

However, Matthew 8:23-27 reminds us that we believe in a God who holds all our fears, and desires to sit in our boat and steer it with us, so we can see His power at work in our lives as He brings us safely to the destination He has in mind for us.

In this collection of art, we’ve invited artists from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to sail into the depths of creativity, sharing their perspectives on experiencing God’s grace amidst life’s fears through captivating artwork and thoughtful reflections.

As you take a moment to admire each piece of art, allow yourself to dive into the emotions and experiences of the artists’ stories. May you discover hidden gems and pearls of truth to anchor you as you sail through your fears.

Boats are significant to me. It reminds me of all the moments Jesus spent in a boat with His disciples. They shared the gospel by boat, and they rowed the boat to a secluded place to pray. When Jesus calmed the sea and gave Peter an abundance of fish—it all took place in a boat.

Like His disciples, I know how good and safe it feels to be in the same boat with God, being led by Him, and heading in the same direction as Him.

But sometimes I find myself being dragged down by fear, and opening myself up to hearing voices and seeking answers elsewhere. I no longer trust God—I’ve jumped into the sea and I’m swimming in the wrong direction.

Every time I’m lost at sea, drowning in fear, I know He’s in the boat, with His hands reaching down to pull me back up, so we’re ready to sail the seas together. He’s the captain of my boat, and faith means trusting Him to lead the way because I know He loves me and cares about me.

We are all like ships floating in a universe without a compass to guide us. Fortunately, we have our travelling companions, our brothers and sisters in Christ, who make our journey less lonely and more fun when we navigate this chaotic universe together. Thank you YMI and thank you Lord for bringing us together!

The scariest experience I had in the ocean was accidentally swimming into a family of jellyfish. It was my first time snorkelling and I was already feeling anxious having to think about breathing and floating simultaneously. My friends, equally terrified, held me close, reminded me to breathe, and we swam through the danger together. It was no surprise that we got stung too!

I think having faith over fear is like having the courage to jump into the ocean, knowing God will provide all that you need to face the challenges ahead.

Anchored In Every Season

Sometimes, our journeys can leave us feeling isolated, especially when we’re navigating uncharted waters.

But we’re never alone, because in every season, and every area of our lives, we can find our anchor in God.

He goes before us and is watching over us. A simple act of worship reminds us He’s with us, and we’re not adrift in our journey.

I was sitting on a boat, surrounded by a roaring storm. I didn’t know what to do other than to pray. I couldn’t see the sun, and shadows were dancing around me, shrieking negative words that sucked all of my peace.

These shadows are the thoughts that come from overthinking. They slid up through my eyes, ears, and mouth until they controlled my head and gave birth to depression, anxiety, insecurity, etc.

But all of a sudden, a little light appeared. Three birds flew towards me to give me a sword. At that moment I realised, God was with me.

I felt my body being lifted, and soon, I was flying.

Courageously, I raised my sword to cut down all the shadows. It was not easy, but everything was worth it in the end. Those shadows and voices slowly faded, and peace inched through my body.

However, when I looked down, I saw that the storm hadn’t subsided, and was still rumbling on. It was then that I realised God has never promised to calm every storm, but He promises to accompany me always and He gives me the strength to face each one of them.

Life can be dark and enticing–sometimes it will feel like the dark depths of the ocean. Sometimes it will look really hopeful and beautiful. Both will tug at me and pull me away from God if I’m not careful. Yet God’s grace never leaves the picture, His touch and presence is always unmistakable.

I may not always see Him in front of me, but I will always recognise His fingerprints and presence in every ripple I make. The journey ahead can feel uncertain at times, and incredibly confusing, but with God, I know I’ll be treading down a path that makes sense to Him.

This artwork depicts a father-and-daughter relationship, and it reflects our connection with God.

Even though there may be challenges in our life’s journey, we can always put our trust in the one who goes before us. God’s provision and protection are always present for us when we’re tired, burdened, and scared. He will lead us to the places we never would have imagined, and the enjoyment we’ll have along the way is just as important as our destination. It might take time to get there, but having Him on our side is already a blessing. God is with us, and we are never alone!

In times of fear, I feel God’s comforting guidance with me, even when I might not consciously recognise it. I’m reminded of John 16:33, which emphasises that challenges and fears are inevitable in this life. Despite these challenges, I find comfort and faith in knowing that Jesus has triumphed over the world. Contemplating this truth encourages me to be courageous and to trust in His divine presence to navigate life’s path. I believe His grace will constantly be with me on this journey, providing me with unwavering support and assurance.

It has been over a decade since I started teaching, and I have been feeling a little tired lately. It could be the generation gap between me and my students or the overwhelming stress from the daily commute. I often wake up dreading work. Don’t get me wrong; I still enjoy teaching, but perhaps I am just hitting a plateau in my career.

“Work hard, earn well, and save money!” Growing up, I have been taught this formula that is deeply engraved into the minds of most Asian families, and I sometimes wonder how much is enough. And will it ever be enough? This somehow has made me very reluctant and very afraid to take a less conventional road of building a career. It’s like I am already programmed to believe that a 9-5 is good and that having a fixed monthly salary is the foolproof method for success.

Even as I scroll through social media admiring some of the other artists on my feed, I still find myself falling back into the traditional method of hustling (of working a stable job with a fixed monthly salary), too afraid to lose this sense of “stability”, and wondering if I’d ever be ready to take the next step of chasing my dreams and finding my purpose.

I believe that the YMI artist gathering was yet another timely reminder from God. I had been so busy chasing earthly stars that I lost sight of my passion. It made me realise that I was always worrying about what’s enough for the future, when, all this while, I have been so blessed and well taken care of. Plus, He already promised me so much more, so perhaps it’s about time I learned to trust Him a little more.