Being a painter brings with it the challenge to see beyond what the brain speaks. You see a lawn or a plant and the brain tells you it is green. You know the sky is blue. The sand is cream. To paint these elements of a landscape effectively, the painter must see beyond.
A green plant is full of shadow and light that requires hues other than green. It requires purple and burgundy, navy, and yellow in addition to various shades of green. A blue sky is seldom one shade of blue, even when there are no clouds. Clouds are so much more than white puffs scrolling across the viewer’s eye. The painter must be able to see beyond to understand how to interpret light into pigment.
Our walk with Jesus is much like the artist’s need to interpret light into pigment and to see beyond. A life devoted to God requires us to see from Heaven’s perspective—to look beyond the natural into the supernatural.
I am reminded of the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6.
“Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:15-17
Elisha had the ability to see beyond what was obvious in the natural. He saw God’s army when his servant could not. Can you relate to the servant?
Do you see your life’s circumstances and wonder how the Lord is going to come through for you? Do you look at your life in the natural and question the fruitfulness of your work? Perhaps you question why you are placed where you are at this moment in time.
God asks you to see beyond. He beckons you to sit with Him and allow Him to open your eyes to see Heaven’s perspective.
You will see His hand of favor resting upon you.
For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord,
You surround him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12
You will see that He calls you by your name and has an amazing future for you.
“‘I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden wealth of secret places,
So that you may know that it is I,
The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.’” Isaiah 45:3
And so much more!
My prayer for you Dear One, echoes Elisha’s prayer for his servant.
“May the Lord open your eyes to see and your ears to hear.”
This painting is another from the Fruit of the Spirit Collection. It represents gentleness.