Swirls of Color

I sat on the shore of Lake Michigan watching the birds fly over the water. There was a beautiful sky full of fluffy white clouds with magnificent shades of blue peeking through. As I looked out over the water I saw many colors coming together in beautiful swirly patterns. In the distance, near the horizon, was a deep, midnight blue. Next to that was a rich aquamarine that turned into several shades of green. Then there was another, lighter blue and even a small patch that appeared to be brownish. This array of colors intrigued me. Coloring a picture as a young child, I always grabbed the blue crayon for water. I remember my first 64-color box of crayons. In it was a crayon named Sea Green. I remember thinking the ocean must look very different from this lake, because water was blue. Yet here were all these colors together.

After watching the flight of birds for a short time, I looked back over the water and found that the patterns had changed. The colors were still there, but now the line of midnight blue was very thin and the green had increased in size. A short time later the patterns have changed once again. Then the sky grew a bit darker as one of the many clouds covered the sun. This entire array of colors took on a grayish hue and lost the uniqueness of each individual color.  I realized that the color scheme was dependent upon the reflection of the sun. As the sun altered its position, the appearance of the colors was altered with it. When the sun was blocked, the colors became muted.

In a sense, the life of a believer is very much like the view of the lake. God has placed gifts and abilities in each of His children. These gifts and abilities are displayed as different shades, or colors, of one’s personality. Each individual color or gift is beautiful in itself. In conjunction with other gifts, a beautiful swirl of God’s handiwork is exhibited through our lives. As God’s love is allowed to be reflected in us, these gifts and abilities become vibrant.  They will display His character and love to all who see it. Jesus instructed, “…just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34b-35 ESV)  By loving our brothers and sisters with our gifts, we will reflect the love of Jesus Christ to the world. 

We can lose our vibrant appearance if we allow the love of Jesus, the true Son, to be hidden by circumstances, disobedience or any other hindrance. When that cloud blocked the sun causing the water to turn grayish, the scene lost the appeal it had only moments before. When we fail to reflect the Son of God in all we do, we also lose the attractiveness that is apparent only when the love of Jesus permeates our lives. Staying connected to the light and love of Jesus Christ is essential. 

In addition to the reflection of the sun, the depth of the water also affects the color seen on the surface. As the word of God becomes deeply rooted in our lives, we will display the wisdom and stability that comes with a depth of spiritual character.  When we spend time with the Lord and study the Scriptures, His character is developed in us. “And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP)  As we grow, little by little, we will reflect more and more of God. As we remain constant in both God’s word and love, the color of our lives deepens. The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us.  “Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny].” (1 Corinthians 2:10 AMP) The Holy Spirit will take us deep and the color of our life will be rich.

The prophet Isaiah gives this command. “Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!” (Isaiah 60:1 AMP)  As we grow deep in the love of God and allow His light to reflect in our lives, we can display the glory of God. God’s glory is beautiful beyond measure and it is our privilege to be a part of the display.

So as you go about your day, allow the Son of God to shine upon your life. The beautiful colors of all that He has placed in you will be seen by whoever you meet. You are beautiful.