Lately my husband and I have had some good conversations. The other day we found ourselves in awe of how amazing God is to put such sweet, abundantly healthy and oh so delicious water inside a coconut that grows on a tree. That’s just one of the many examples of “art appreciation” we can experience when we know that we are living on a planet and in a space that truly is a work of art. Reading through Genesis 1, I can almost picture God as an artist with His clay or His paintbrush adding piece by piece, then pausing to examine His work;
“And God saw that it was good”.
Still, God’s work is always in motion.
So much greater than the tangible world around us, God’s artwork is moving and changing. It’s something we can always feel wonder and amazement for if we open our eyes a little more.
I’ve been inspired to do the gratitude challenge again, where I actually list out as many things that I can think of that I am grateful for. Gratitude is something I practice daily, but to actually list it out helps us live in that space more and draw closer to God continually as we go through our day (or get drawn back).
It’s pretty easy when you realize that you are living in a moving museum of God’s living creations. When you can look at a coconut, a thunderstorm, waves crashing, a grain of sand or an ant running off with your bread crumbs that are three times his size; you see the awesomeness of God’s creativity. This gratitude practice that opens our eyes to God’s artwork is powerful and can truly bring us Joy.
In Jeremiah 10 verses 1-16, we are reminded of how silly we are to worship creations of man - our cars, our toys, our technology, our clothes - rather than be inspired daily by the amazing creations around us. These creations that are not only beautiful works of art, but also truly sustain us and invite us to move in motion with one another, with the Artist always in the midst.
3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. 4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. 5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.” 6 No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. 7 Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. 8 They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols. 9 Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. What the craftsman and goldsmith have made is then dressed in blue and purple— all made by skilled workers. 10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. 11 “Tell them this: ‘These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.’ ”
While humans can create some really wonderful things and many are inspired by God or guided by the Holy Spirit that lives in us, it’s good to remember the ultimate Artist and live in gratitude to Him daily; for through power, wisdom and understanding, He created all that surrounds us and it moves on His command.
12 But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. 13 When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. 14 Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them.
I am grateful that God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7) so that I too, can be His beautiful creation.
Still, God’s work is always in motion.
I am grateful that God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” so that I can be a growing and evolving work of art.
I am grateful that God sent Jesus and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide me through the museum of His creations while I’m here on earth.
I am grateful for community that God has led me to, over and over again.
I am grateful for the smell of the ocean and the air when it’s about to rain.
I am grateful for the amazing creations that sustain us as food.
I am grateful for the body that is so well equipped to move me through this journey of life.
I am so grateful for the journey itself and that it is an adventure.
I am grateful for all that I learn through experience, both joyful and difficult.
I am grateful that the Lord guides me and keeps me safe.
I am grateful for the challenges and valleys of darkness that have exercised my faith.
I am grateful for the laughter that has blessed me with so many moments of joy.
I am grateful for the people that are so dear to me and fill my heart with an insane amount of Love.
I am grateful that God is waiting nearby, ready to be accepted into their hearts either for the first time or again and again as they journey through this life.
And we can be grateful for things that seem to be small, but truly were created in God’s wisdom and have way more power and purpose than we give them credit for. When we realize this and can live in this truth, joy flows through our hearts.
I am grateful for the colors that cover the flowers.
I am grateful for bees.
I am grateful for hugs.
I am grateful that people help each other.
And in all these moments of life, we are constantly moving - living creations of God: growing, learning, building faith in our hearts and sharing love and light as we flow through this painting in motion and blend with the colors of the souls around us.
Only God could be such a talented and never ending artist.
About the Author
Leona is a wife, mother and traveler who is intrigued by how different people live. Her latest project is exploring ways that different walks of life can simplify, in order to live a fulfilling journey.