Prayer that got answered 20 years later

Satisfied /迷いなき道  (10th painting of Pursuing Love Series)

Artwork inspired by John 16:13a

Keiko Yamada

Acrylic Painting on Canvas

40 x 36 inch

As you observe this artwork, you will see the road that leads straight into light, surrounded with trees full of life, branches widely pointing to heaven.

You might be surprised to find out that this artwork had to travel a lot while it was being completed, and it was not this straight of a path. 

did i chose the wrong path?

I was working on this artwork inspired by John 16:13 back in February 2025. Before I knew that my February schedule would require me to live in 3 different locations, I had already chosen a huge canvas (35 inch wide and 40 inch tall! Barely fits in my car)  for this artwork! If I knew in advance, perhaps I would have chosen a much smaller, portable canvas.

Every time I moved to the next location, I had to take not just this huge canvas, but also 2 full bags of acrylic paints, and other materials which were not easy to carry around. 

With my unsettled heart, I had to face this verse.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

John 16:13a

As I reflected on this verse, I recalled moments He guided me, provided me, and directed me to the truth. But my living situation in February was daunting and that felt like all the 'truth' and uncertainty swayed me from trusting Jesus.

Perhaps you also have faced uncertainty and have wondered how God is guiding you in the midst of it.

Believe it or not, a disciple's grief parallels our uncertainty.

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context of john 16

John 13-16 is famously known as Jesus’ last discourse right before He was taken captive to be nailed on the cross. It included a hard truth that Jesus can no longer be with them, which shocked the disciples like no others and their heart was soon filled with grief. That “Truth” seemed unbearable. They couldn’t imagine a life without Jesus. 

It’s amazing how many times Jesus mentioned “But” even within the first half of chapter 16 (John 16:4, 5, 6).

Yes, you will grieve and suffer BUT hope and joy will also come.

He sees our reality without denying its difficulty, yet speaks hope into that with the word “But”.

📖　Pause & Reflect

Today, what kind of uncertainties or worries of life are causing your eyes to drift away from Jesus who is speaking hope to us daily?

Pleasant surprise

My February 2025 was unsettling, and was not the best way to start the year. BUT this was the very month that God blessed me with the most unexpected, biggest gift. 

While I was in the third location, He allowed me to meet my future husband at the seminar that otherwise I have not attended. 

I’ve prayed for a “Future husband” for the past 20 some years. To be brutally honest, sometimes I gave up praying for one because I was convinced that this is one prayer that God somehow decided not to answer.

Living my life as a missionary, and having gone to seminary and worked at church, I loved the way I lived my life. A missionary I respected even said, “Yea, keep on running hard toward Jesus for His Kingdom, and one day you will find a man who will be running right beside you. And THAT’s your husband God prepared for you.” But sometimes, I thought to myself, “Did I run too fast to the point where NO MAN can keep up? Did I lose him somewhere?” 

Yet in February 2025, God proved Himself faithful despite my doubts by allowing me to meet Kai (future husband). The more we got to each other, the more we could not help it but to see God’s fingerprints all around our lives, orchestrating the best time for us to meet. We had so many friends in common that we could have met each other earlier, but God knew the best timing. 

Perhaps there are times we feel “lost”, even as we follow Jesus. 

Even as we come before Him with honest pleas and questions, may we be found by Truth, and comforted by Truth, that He is good. That He is constantly working for the good of those who love Him, even when we cannot see that right at this moment. So let's continue abiding in Him and His Truth.

🙏 Suggested Prayer：  Lord Jesus, I praise you because you are the way the truth of life. Though there are many things we do not know nor understand today, thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit, who is our Comforter, and our Helper. Continue to guide us to the Truth, so that we will not be shaken by the deception of this world that discourages us to place trust in Jesus. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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Thanks for reading！God bless you!