Sue O’Donnell. 28.11.20
Imagine the world in monochrome,
Would not life appear drab?
I think this could make us sad.
But consider instead the reality,
The beauty of every colour.
The yellows, reds and blues,
The whites, browns and blacks,
And you will see we lack nothing
To bring out joy through each hue.
What does colour do for you?
Think of the colours of nature;
The blues of the sky high above, and oceans deep.
The greens of trees deciduous and evergreen.
The sky with hint, tint of orange, pink and purple.
The yellow of the sunshine bright.
The opalescent pearl of the moon at night.
The browns of abundant, verdant soil,
Responsive to the toil of man.
The grey of evening mist, prevalent in November,
Bathing the earth in an air of mystery.
Mystery often invites us to look at history,
Wherein lies the true story of God’s goodness towards us.
Think of rocks, stones and precious gems,
Sapphire, ruby, emerald and amethyst.
What colours have I missed?
Those which are a two or three colour blend.
The turquoise sheen of blue and green.
Consider the kingfisher and peacock feathers.
Think of pink, often symbolic of a newborn baby girl.
All babies bring such a joy of hope to our world.
What will this child be?
How will he or she enhance life’s daily quality?
Then, what about regal purple, made up of pink and blue,
To allow the lilac tint to shine through
To a stronger, denser, or gentler, quieter hue?
Also of course, there are the precious metals,
Of glittery gold and shining silver,
Which the Lord God has allowed us to discover.
Our Creator paints the world in colour.
You could not deny this if you thought only of flowers,
And the hours of delight we treasure
Through the pleasure of their vivid colour.
And take only one shade God has made
As a primary colour, and you discover tone after tone.
For example, think of red in the flowerbed or elsewhere.
You will see there can be poppy red, scarlet and crimson,
Carnelian, vermillion, rouge, rocha, ox blood,
Maroon, ruby, coral, carmine, terracotta, garnet,
Cherry, wine, claret, mulberry, plum and pillar box!
Our Father Creator unlocks our imagination by tones of colour.
Whatever the November weather, even if duller,
We will find something pleasing in nature.
Usually we do not have to look very far.
The sunset sky for example, radiates red above us.
Why all these tones of colour?
Everything the Lord God does is for a worthwhile purpose:
“We know the truth about God through our faith in the gospel. Yet God has also made plain to those who do not believe, that He is real.” (Romans 1 v 19 the Truth)
“People only have to look at the creation around them to know that an invisible hand has brought into being all they can see.” (Romans 1 v 20 The Truth)
Yes, our world, the visible creation which surrounds us with colour, enriching daily life immeasurably, leaves us no room for doubt as to a Creator existing, providing a planet for us to comfortably inhabit. You are our Provider.
Lord God, almighty in power, painting life vividly beautiful throughout the entire world, and even into the farthest depths of space, as we look into the diamond, star studded, inky blackness, this reveals something of Your creativity.
Yours is the highest authority over life, a life painted richly to be portrayed so very vividly. Thank You for the joy of discovery. There is no greater joy than finding You definitely exist, and as a Trinity of glory.
For the other route of discovery to find out about You, is to pray and study the sacred Scriptures, praying also together as a community, a family who benefit sacramentally.
As out of Your all loving personality You gift us Your Son as our Saviour, and Your Spirit as mankind’s Sanctifier, then we know You are our Protector, gifting us the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
We are an entirely blessed people, “All Your works shall praise You. O LORD and Your saints (all who believe in Christ Jesus as Saviour) shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power,” (Psalm 145 v 10, 11) to make You known to each other.
Praise the Lord, all creation! “Praise Him sun and moon, praise Him all you stars of light! ...Praise Him fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word; mountains and hills; fruitful trees and all Cedars... Praise the LORD.” (Psalm 148 v 3, 8, 9)
The vast expanse of the universe declares Your glory, as does the earth show forth Your handiwork is our country, season by blessed season, each with its own characteristic richness of colour, a riot of colour!
Thank You for the major aspects of nature’s colour such as the land, the sea and the sky, all glorious in their turn. Thank You too, for seasonal garden and countryside colour, for wild, tame, birds, farm animals, reptiles and insects, plus the beautiful, most colourful fish in the sea and coral reefs.
It is not just trees and flowers which gift us colour, but bark, foliage, berries and seedheads, all marvellous!
Colours offer us a visual stimulation which can be an asset to our mood. A bright colour can actually help us to feel happier!
You are our Father Creator, making the earth, all its fullness, the waters surrounding the land, and us, the family of man, all Your creation. “Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done...they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40 v 5)
Your kingdom is a realm of colourful beauty. Your reign is one of merciful, all loving kindness, we learn in the Lord Jesus, our Saviour and by the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier.
With this world as stunningly, outstandingly beautiful as it is, whatever will heaven like, I wonder? The colour invites us to taste and see and imagine. Plus of course, we experience the highest, richest, fullest
happiness of all in learning about You and turning to You, through Your Son and Your Spirit.
How profoundly blessed we are! Our Saviour and Sanctifier, You offer us unbounded joy in Your nearness to us. Thank You very, very much for Your ever loving touch. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
NATURE
COLOUR
