Shortly after her birth in West Virginia, Lorna's mother dedicated her to the Lord and she was baptized by the age of 8. Acknowledging her God-given gift for art, Lorna remained close to God throughout her childhood. Yet in the shadow of her parent's divorce, the young artist approached adulthood with a determination to pursue a different direction and began down a dangerous path away from the Lord.
After relocating to Maryland to attend Art College, she moved four more times before she landed in Gainesville, Florida in 1993. During these years, Lorna ignored the Lord's calling on her life indulging in the world's enticements, while her family remained in constant prayer for God to show mercy on her. Their faithful prayers were answered when her destructive journey came to an end in her thirties.
Rededicating her life to the Lord and being baptized in the Jordan River began Lorna down a new path causing her life and desires to change. She desired above all things to "know Him more". Though she had received a degree in art and managed to balance a small business as well as a teaching job, she sensed she was not fulfilling the purpose for which she was created.
"During this time I had begun to question whether the Lord's plan for me included my art. This was a big concern for me because I loved to paint...but it was like my hands were tied."
These thoughts led her to pray the prayer that changed her life.
The Lord immediately began giving Lorna visions of what to paint as well as the ability to convey them onto canvas. She has described these experiences like "staring at a picture for a couple of minutes then looking away and recalling the image in my mind".
With each painting Lorna was reassured of God's hand in her art. She sketched the visions as He revealed them, researched and painted as He led, then consulted Him for the interpretation. Each painting became an important message in allegorical picture form - truly a mystery revealed.
Still questioning how the Lord wanted to use her talent, Lorna sought His guidance for her art during a 21-day fast. The Lord honored her sacrificial search and laid it upon her heart to use her gift as a means to reach the lost and the found. As God revealed His message to her, she was to unfold it to His people that they might receive revelations themselves. She had no idea how to do something like this or if anyone would even show enough interest. The Lord let her know He would take care of the "how" and the "who"- she was to simply follow and obey. With a new understanding of God's purpose for her talent, she named her ministry Revelation Art. She knew these paintings were a message to God's people - a way for Him to "touch" them, reaching beyond their souls and into their spirits. A way for Him to be glorified.
As she researched, painted, and wrote the interpretations, the Lord revealed more of what He wanted each piece to communicate to the observer.
"Many times after I finish a commissioned piece, I look at the painting and read the interpretation and just shake my head and smile, because I know this did not come from me...it is a work from the Lord."
Today Lorna continues her mission of "spreading the Gospel through art" as she travels to numerous exhibits, conferences and churches presenting her art and sharing the testimony behind it. Having left behind a promising career in the "secular" art industry, she has joyfully chosen to follow God's calling to an art ministry, seizing every opportunity to witness to others through her God-given talent. The initial call from God of "touching people beyond their soul and into their spirit as a way to advance the Kingdom of God" has become the heart of her mission statement. Each of her museum quality pieces is indeed a "Master"-piece as the life of the Gospel engulfs the viewer, bringing enlightenment as well as conviction, while speaking to and moving their spirit.
It is evident that God has used Lorna's past experiences to prepare her in communicating with sincere compassion and understanding as she encourages people not to give up, but to go forward with God's purpose for their lives.
As an obedient follower of Christ, Lorna L. Effler has received a rare anointing and talent that she uses as an avenue of worship to her Lord. From the moment God called her to do this, He imparted the grace needed to carry out His plan, and He is using it in ways beyond our human knowing to expand His Kingdom.
One woman's heartfelt prayer asking God to show her His will for her life was answered immediately.
He did - and still does - faster than she can paint-
Lorna has her studio in Ocala, FL.
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