“God must be a painter. Why else all these colors?” This quote is from the movie, A Beautiful Mind where a character who is an artist marvels at the available spectrum of colors.
God does love creativity. After all, He authored it.
I was surprised when I read all the instructions in Exodus to realize how much He treasures color and vivid adornment for His meeting place. He commanded the Israelites to use not only a variety of colors, but a plethora of precious metals. He then gave very specific instructions on how they were to design these creations.
God not only authored colors, but gifted people with the artistic skill to create. He delights in giving humans not only the creative ability, but also the artistic eye to appreciate what is created. As His hands formed creation, He looked and evaluated His work. He called everything He created good. (Genesis 1:31).
Can you imagine the pleasure He experienced as He presented Adam with each creature and waited to see Adam’s response? How God waited with anticipation as Adam decided what he would name each animal?
“Every good and perfect gift is from God above.” James 1:17
If you enjoy an aesthetically pleasing space, God gifted you that eye.
If you can create anything which brings others joy or peace, and closer to God, that precious gift is from Him.
If you can watch the sun set and celebrate the changing colors with breathless wonderment, God gave you the eye to appreciate and the mind to write those words of expression.
Yes, God takes joy in all His creation.
And God takes pleasure in the creation of you and me.
He loves us. He wants to give us good things. He presents us gifts and lets us choose how to use them. He wants to see how we respond to His creation. And He wants us to adore Him, to choose to worship Him.
Are you like me, in that sometimes these magnificent gifts go unnoticed because I’m distracted? The dirt on the floor, or the deadline at work, or the piece of mail that captured my attention.
He wants to help us be present and stay focused on what He is doing. He is happy to help us with just that. We only need to ask Him. Will you join me in requesting His help to appreciate His gifts, particularly those in creation and bursting with creativity?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for Your creation. Your animals, Your colors, the natural beauty Your hands made. Thank You for giving me the creative gifts, and the ability to appreciate creativity in You and in others. Please help me take the time to notice the little creations and creativity around me. Thank You for the gift of creativity! In Jesus’ name, Amen.