Everlasting Arms–an early Christmas present from Chris Powers
Without fail, watching Chris Powers’ first animation, Prodigal, brings tears to my eyes. Doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen
Today as an early Christmas present, Chris released his newest animation, Everlasting Arms. *Are you reading this on your tablet or phone? Do yourself a favor and stream Everlasting Arms to your television (or at the very least, switch over to your computer screen.) My family and I just watched it together, and even my five-year-old sat transfixed by the striking images and intimate conversation between the husband and straying wife. In this 11-minute short movie, Chris uses just the words of scripture for the first-person conversation. Our attention is masterfully drawn to one of the most beautiful and comforting illustrations of God’s love for us, depicted as a bridegroom caring for, and carrying home his bride in his everlasting arms.
Prayer:
My dear heavenly husband,
From the moment I was born you have provided arms to guide me, carry me, and hold me close. The arms of the nurse that handed me still wet from birth, you provided them. The outstretched arms of my mother receiving and caring for me, you provided them. The arms of my cousin that carried me to the baptismal font, where you claimed me as your very own. The arms of my friends that carried me when my ankle was crushed in a fall. My own arms that symbolically carried my wife across the threshold of our first home. The fellow believers that help me carry the worries and wreckage of this world. The arms that will one day carry the weight of my body enclosed in a casket. You provide them all. We use them all to point to your arms and your love and your care. Carry me now, carry me forever, and carry me home. Amen!
About the Artist
Chris Powers is an animator who is committed to Jesus Christ, visual theology, and beauty. He creates wonderful animations with study guides, as well as Christ-honoring gorgeous still art. Chris has taken a leap of faith and he and his wife left all behind to devote themselves full-time to this ministry he named Full of Eyes. Full of Eyes is part of the verse from Ezekiel 1:18 describing the strange creatures that have wheels within wheels which were full of eyes all around.