“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5  14-16  The Message

I had to preach on these verses this week to a jury of my peers. A very lovely jury, I have to say, but none the less nerve racking! Scary stuff! I won’t give you what I gave them, but these were the words that grabbed me.  Bringing out the God colours in the world .

That is what God calls me to do. Allow  His sunshine to  flood my being, and try not to get in the way of letting it flow out of me too. Sunshine that lights up the grey and lifeless places, and the dark and lonely places.  In me and in the world around me. In those He brings me alongside, and mingles my life with.   Bringing out the God colours

Be a foil to reflect the Light,  and bring others out in their best colours – the colours that God the Master Artist  painted them in with Love.  I dabble in water colour and scribble in pastels ( when I get time that is) and playing with light and shade and tone is a real joy.

The God I know and love also likes to play. Loves to create- and recreate. Oft times when you are painting, something goes wrong.  It doesn’t turn out the way you planned.  A great artist   (of which I am not!)  can take the mistakes and work them into the picture – an integral part of the whole.  He doesn’t lose patience and get frustrated. He adds more light and sometimes more contrast, and brings up the colours and forms in a whole new perspective.

I am not a Master Artist, but I can be a paintbrush in His hands. I have no radiance in me that is self generated, but I can borrow His sparkle to light up other’s lives.

I don’t know about you, but I like that idea.