I have missed my bike rides lately. Life has been busy, daylight is more scarce, and the rides have been the one more thing that has had to go.
But today reminded me of why I love riding my bike so much. It is the wonder and peace and inspiration of being outside in God's creation.
The colors were amazing! The golds and reds and browns and greens contrasting with the light blue sky, and all reflected beautifully in the serpentine river. It is the ultimate canvas painted by the ultimate Artist.
Webster's defines art as the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
Creation truly is the epitome of art. God didn't paint word pictures, God painted pictures with His words. God sculpted Adam out of dust, shaped his arms and legs, bones and organs, eyes, nose and mouth. Then with His breath, His life, He gave life to Adam.
Creation is a vibrantly visual work that is appreciated for its beauty and its emotional power. As I spend time outside observing the animate and inanimate parts of creation, it is beautiful. The colors, variety, scope. It moves my heart. It stirs my soul. It inspires me. It causes me to ponder the Hand behind it. The words behind it.
There are many art mediums, but the very first medium was words. God's words to create this world.
How mind blowing that God created this artistic masterpiece of the universe through His words! He spoke, saying let there be...and there was. God's words created art. God's words are art. God's words uphold His work of art. (Hebrews 1:3) A word of His power sustains His creation, keeping it clipping along in order and beauty.
God set a phenomenal precedent, that of the art of words. God's words were powerful, purposeful, creative, life giving.
I am an artist. My art is sometimes via my home making. On rare occasions my art is traditional art-painting or drawing. Most often my art is words, both spoken and written. My art, my words, have the potential to create beauty in emptiness and darkness. My words have the potential to breathe life into dead spaces. My words have the potential to stir hearts and challenge minds.
My words, my art, has the potential to circle you back to my Creator, the Artist.
There is ruin in a flood of empty words...Ecclesiastes 5:7
So, this may be a pipe dream-a figment of my imagination-but here's what I see in my mind's eye. I see me, praying over what to write each day, pondering, then sitting down with my laptop and my robust cup of Earl Grey, typing away, trying to capture the thoughts God has for you and I today.
And then I picture you, my readers, at your breakfast table with your cup of coffee or burrowed into your quilts at night with your hot drink of choice or a bowl of ice cream, reading my words. Being blessed and inspired and challenged and encouraged by them.
But more than anything, this is my prayer...
May the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Joining Emily Freeman, the gal who changed my idea of art and artists, for her link up this month...
