Colorful

By Jean Andrianoff —

I believe God loves color. Just look around at this time of year—fresh green grass; clouds of pink and white blooms on fruit trees; the vivid blue of sky and water (on a sunny day!); the lime green lace of new leaves; purple and yellow violets; rhododendrons of almost every conceivable hue. His creation is never boring. How much pleasure it must bring the Creator to observe the colorful world He has made or to see us enjoying it.

I’ve always loved to color, so I was delighted when adult coloring books became a “thing.” Now I can indulge my love of this childhood pastime with the approval and even encouragement of everyone from grandchildren to mental health professionals.

A year ago, I bought a set of reasonably-priced colored pencils, 24 colors per box, to indulge my hobby. When my husband was planning a trip to the city where I bought them, I asked him to buy another set. I was delighted when he said sets of 48 were also available. Would I like that instead?

I had felt reasonably happy with my 24 colors, but once I had 48 to choose from, I could do so much more. My pictures seemed to exhibit more life, more depth. As I reflected on this, I began to think about diversity. When we lived in Mongolia, we worked in an international consortium with people from nearly every continent. Our staff meetings reflected perspectives from Brazil, Denmark, Fiji, Australia, Korea, and many other countries.  My best friend was British. We worshipped with Mongolians. When we left, life felt somehow flatter without this cultural and racial diversity.

Many of us live in a racially and ethnically homogeneous setting, rarely dealing with anyone who looks different or views the world differently from us. We may have to create opportunities to experience diversity. When we do, we begin to get a taste of what it will be like when we sit around the throne of the Lamb with “a great multitude . . . from every nation, from all tribes and people and languages,” praising our God.

The colors of racial difference are subtler than those of a sunny spring day, but I’m sure seeing the different hues of skin colors enjoying and appreciating one another must bring God even more pleasure than does a lovely landscape.

Lord, we thank you, for the many languages, colors, and cultures represented by mankind created in Your image. Give us opportunities to experience this diversity with openness.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9,10 (ESV)