Growing up I enjoyed coloring. I remember creating craft projects with a multitude of crayon colors. Even today, I enjoy adult coloring books – there is something soothing to my soul to let the colors speak of what stirs within me.
I also like to bring color into our home through painting. I’m not an artist, but I can choose color and paint a wall 😊. I recall the first room I painted 22 years ago- it was the bathroom. A friend, who had colored spaces more than I, came over to help me learn the ways of painting a space. Since then, many walls within our homes have been splashed with color. When Sammy was young, I painted his room several shades of blue to look like outer space and Sophie’s room as a little girl featured several pink tones spattered upon the wall. For me, color changes everything.
Well…Gary was traveling for 11 days and while he was gone, I felt inspired. I painted the master bedroom, the master bathroom, and the guest bathroom which brought vibrancy to the space. It feels a bit difficult to put into words, but when I paint, I just am. I don’t problem solve, think about life and its issues, or fixate on an area of concern, I simply paint. I trim along the ceiling and the floor, cut in the corners, and paint the open space of the walls. There seems to be something therapeutic and fun in this experience. And then, when I’m done, I soak in the color which calms my soul and lightens my spirit. Just like a coloring book, I feel refreshed after coloring walls in our home.
Color – the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light; make vivid or picturesque; change something by painting, dyeing, or shading.
As I pondered color, I thought about God and His delight with color. In the Old Testament, God instructed the design of the tabernacle which included tapestries with magnificent colors of crimson, blue, purple, gold, and white. Historians and artists imagine the grandeur of this craftsmanship today. Elsewhere, the Bible references green, amber, black, white, silver, scarlet, and bronze: so many colors. In Genesis 9:13, a myriad of colorful shades revealed God’s promise to humankind. And, Revelation 4:3 described that which encircled the throne of God as something akin to a rainbow. Color matters to God.
As I painted the different spaces in our home, I felt excitement rise within me for my family to see the new colors and notice the transformation of the rooms. Almost giddy in anticipation, I awaited their reaction to the colored rooms. I imagined that God was excited as He placed the rainbow in the sky over Noah, knowing it not only represented His divine promise, but His creativity with color.
What ways do you create with color? Do you experience excitement arise as you wait for others to notice?
Have you ever really looked at the colors in the wildflowers, the shades of green on the hillside, or the variation of hues imprinted upon a fish in a mountain stream? I think God enjoyed His paint brushes very much at creation, but continues to play with color today. He developed colors for us to look at, be inspired by, and soak in.
Take a moment and consider your favorite colors. You might have several favorites – favorite color to wear, favorite color for someone else to wear, favorite color to write with, favorite colored flower, favorite color of food, favorite colored animal, etc. Share with someone your favorite colors 🎨.
Because we are created in God’s image, I suggest that we all possess the ability to add color to the world and our spheres of influence. What do you color? Perhaps you employ different shades of color in your work or in your hobbies? Or, maybe you add vitality and beauty to your workspace, ministry, and neighborhood?
God developed all colors for us to look at, be inspired by, and soak in. I live in awe of God and the beauty He creates with color. I thank Him that He chose us to live in a color-filled world, not just black and white. In what ways does God’s creative use of color impact you?
Color the world around you for God’s glory. Whether figuratively or literally, color the spaces in which you live with life, vibrancy, joy, and the love of God. Let your very presence add color to your interactions with people and daily tasks.
Take note of the color around you. Watch a sunrise or sunset this week. Thank God for His creativity and His gifts of grace to enable you to color alongside Him in the world.
Reflect on those activities in your life that allow you to just be, like painting does for me. Think about places and practices that invite you to live without striving, sorting, or steering life in a particular direction. God often meets us in the mundane, the ordinary responsibilities of life, and our hobbies/interests. Look for Him in the familiar and common where color shouts to His majesty and glory. God is with you and invites you to color like Him.
Be inspired by God’s creativity with color and paint a room, color in a coloring book, or get a fun colored pen to write with for tasks at home and work. Color the world around you!
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Exodus 26:1 – “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Zondervan. NIV, Beautiful Word Coloring Bible, Hardcover: Hundreds of Verses to Color. Grand Rapids, MI. 2016.
Museum of the Bible Books. Colors in the Bible Board book – Picture Book. 2018.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
The Color. Better Way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWRaStICEcA
David Baloche. Green Pastures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie08cvHU7vMY
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
September 15 – Littleton, CO
Breathe Retreat – 10am-12pm – Let me know if you are interested in joining us for a space to press pause and be with Jesus. Come be refreshed.If you’d like to watch a video from when I shared with Denver Seminary students about my trip to the Ukraine – here is the link: https://vimeo.com/846794477?share=copy