“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1
This is also true of all creation, and this fact was never more apparent to me than it was this spring down near the town of Ennis, Texas.
Through an invitation of a painter friend, Pete Quaid, we were able to set up our easels and paint on one of the most beautiful pieces of land in this part of Texas. The iconic Texas Blue Bonnets and the Indian Paint Brushes were incredible. Since blue and orange are complimentary colors, when you see them mixed together across the landscape, it is truly stunning. Seeing this visual buffet of color was almost like seeing the lights of Christmas as a kid for the first time.
I thought “this landscape must be God’s canvas, and the wildflowers are His living pigment. The images He paints should make us all stand in awe of His creative power and majesty.
When you think about it, it’s kind of crazy, and yes even arrogant to stand in a place like that with a blank canvas or panel, a few colors squeezed out of tubes and think that there is a chance of capturing a piece of its majesty. But we try it any way, perhaps because we are created in His image and therefore must create, no matter how poor our attempt.
After a few hours on my first painting, I knew I’d have to return and paint another, and another. I went back to that place three more times, working on a total of three small paintings. Because I was enjoying the handy-works of God on “perfect” spring days, the time there seemed “magical”. It was kind of like the earth and its beauty was created for a purpose just like this.
Every day that has passed since I last painted at that location, the flowers have diminished, their beauty weakened. The grasses are gaining enough height to begin to cover the flowers, and I noticed the Indian Paint Brushes that were once brilliant oranges and yellows, like fire on the hills, were dulled and their life seemed to be draining back into the Texas soil. This cycle plays out every year and it reminds me of the brevity of this life. It is God’s warning to us, illustrated every spring across Texas- “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 Our time here has a “shelf-life”, and it’s not very long.
When I think about the fleeting beauty of this natural world, a world that has been racked by sin and its influence, I am amazed by God’s grace to us. He still pours out His kindness to us, some of which can be seen across the landscape. This display every spring begs the question – If this world, even with Its curse of sin, can display such beauty, how much more will the beauty of Heaven be?
Here is a clue: The last half of I Corinthians 2:9 says “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
We can’t even imagine the beauty there in heaven. And, He has made it available through the blood of Christ to all who believe.
The wildflowers there must truly be out of this world 😊
(special thanks to Jim for allowing myself and several other artist to paint on the property)
