Colors (noun): properties that become apparent when light falls on an object; the appearance of authenticity; shade, brilliance, glow

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world…” Matthew 5:14

I used to think that all the colors in the world were in the Crayola box with the built-in sharpener in the back. I remember carefully pressing open the thin cardboard lid and taking it all in–the rows of perfectly lined tips, the waxy-fresh smell. It was so hard to decide which one to use first. As huge as that box seemed back in my elementary school days, it wasn’t really very big compared to today’s boxes of 96 and more. Apparently, Crayola currently produces 120 different colors of crayons.

But God’s box of crayons is the biggest of all. There are literally millions of colors for us to see in this world he has created–and many more that our eyes can’t even perceive yet. I was excited to learn that a new shade of blue had been accidentally discovered a few years ago by electronics scientists at Oregon State University. Crayola now has a new crayon color based on this discovery. Its name? “Bluetiful.”  And it is.

The creativity and purpose of color is evident in art, in nature, in science, in us. Colors have power. They make us feel. They inspire, they calm, they distinguish things one from another. They brighten, they darken, they warm us up and cool us down. They attract, they repel, they bring joy…

So, what are God-colors?

What does he want to reveal to the world when he shines his light on us?

I’m pretty sure that God intends to show his peace, his hope, his joy, and his grace. And most of all, I believe that he wants to show his love. With all the choices, all the shades and hues, all the possible combinations and complements of our personalities, he wants us to color a beautiful picture of who he is. He wants us to reflect him in the most genuine, creative, compassionate ways. To everyone.

Let’sInvite Him In

Jesus designed you. He's made you in his image and filled you with his light and love. Let him shine this brilliant light through you today. Watch as he reflects the radiant hues of his love to the people in your life. He might even reveal to you a brand-new color, uniquely yours. Go ahead and surprise the world with Crayola crayon number 121…