As a Christian artist my prayer is to have my spiritual eyes open so I can see hidden beauties.
Whilst jumping over small seemingly insignificant rock pools I noticed that each one was catching the full light of the sun, transforming them into things of great beauty. They were so bright you could hardly look at them!
Teeming with life
Upon reflection, I realised that they were teeming with life. There were small shrimps, beautiful anemones, crabs, seaweed, algae and even tiny fish within each one! All possible because essentially these pools were part of the ocean and twice a day would be refreshed and replenished.
It would be another matter however, if the tide level were to drop leaving the pools isolated. They would stagnate. As Christians, we need a fresh encounter with the Almighty God every day to find refreshment and renewed life.
The painting
I started painting a pool with the Sun’s reflection but I realised I had actually painted what looked like the universe in all it’s glory.
Whilst deliberating upon this I heard God say,
‘Be still my child, and you will perfectly reflect my Glory.’
We might seem small and insignificant, but He can be beautiful in us. His light can reflect in us so brightly that people will see only Him; only His beauty. Indeed, as beautiful as the universe in all it’s glory!
After a while I began to doubt my painting. My aim was to paint a small puddle and not the universe, so I made adjustments. But I spoilt it and reduced it to nothing more than a messy puddle – literally!
What did I learn?
I am learning in life that we have to rest. We have to stop striving and trying to work things out ourselves. We should simply trust God and keep our eyes on Him and let Him work in us and through us. If we linger and gaze on Him we will begin to understand His heart. Only in this way can we truly reflect His glory and bear fruit.
‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’ Matthew 5: 14-16
But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ 1 Samuel 16:7
Releasing the Glory…. click here to read about what finally happened to this painting!