05/09/2026
Title: Bum on the Bench Warrior in the Making
What began as a painting became an evangelistic message of redemption and transformation through Jesus Christ. In this painting, you see a man lying on a park bench surrounded by garbage, brokenness, and debris, with a sign beneath his head that reads, “Anything helps, God bless.”
About 25 years ago, when I worked in Manhattan, New York, near the East River, I would often pass by a homeless man lying on a bench. Many times, I would stop, look at him, and pray for him. Sometimes I would approach him, but he was so consumed by the streets, so broken and far gone, that he either could not understand or did not want help. Yet I continued to pray for him.
Looking back now, I realize the Lord was showing me something greater in the spirit.
In a vision, I saw that same man awaken and look upward toward the heavens, as if hearing a call from God. Then I saw the hands of Jesus appear, holding a white robe, and He placed it upon him. Suddenly, the same man who once laid hopeless on a bench was transformed. I saw him standing clothed in armor, carrying a shield and a flaming sword in his hands. From a homeless man to a warrior.
Immediately, I thought of Isaiah 61:1:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me… to preach good tidings unto the meek… to bind up the brokenhearted… to proclaim liberty to the captives.”
And Zechariah 3:3-4 came alive before me:
“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments… And He answered and spake… saying, Take away the filthy garments from him… behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”
As I reflected on this painting, I could not help but see part of my own testimony in it. But in truth, this is the story of all of us before Christ. Without Jesus, we are spiritually like that man on the bench, empty, broken, hopeless, waiting for someone or something to help us. People may come alongside us for a moment. They may offer kindness, money, advice, or temporary relief. But only Jesus Christ can truly transform a life.
Sometimes we must reach rock bottom before we finally look up and cry out to the One who can save us. Hebrews 12:2 calls Him:
“The author and finisher of our faith.”
It is often in the deepest emptiness and hopelessness that we discover our desperate need for Him. And when we call upon the Lord, His hand reaches down into our brokenness. He lifts us up, cleanses us, wraps us in robes of righteousness, and sends us forth with purpose and identity.
Isaiah 61:10 says:
“He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
And Ephesians 6:11 reminds us:
“Put on the whole armor of God.”
The world may see a bum on a bench, but Jesus sees a warrior in the making.
This painting is about redemption.
It is about restoration.
It is about the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
The hand of the Lord is still reaching toward the broken, the addicted, the forgotten, and the hopeless. And what the world has discarded, God is able to raise up as a mighty warrior for His glory.
