Every single morning, I get the beauty of a new painting. I haven’t done anything to deserve it. There is nothing particularly special about me to have such a gift. Sure, I live with an artist. And while her paintings do adorn the walls of my bedroom, these aren’t the paintings I am describing. This painting is a new view each and every day. Nothing about me changes necessarily. It is the Artist, starting a new day with a new painting. It is sometimes gentle and easy. Sometimes the painting is more explosive and demanding. But it is always new.
If you take the time to see the world around you with childlike vision, it is amazing what you will discover. I walk/run the same route every single morning. Nothing significant about my route changes. Consistency is my jam. But as I roll out of bed each morning, a beautiful painting begins to take shape – with or without me. The sun begins to rise. Yes, it happens every single day. But each day seems to bring a unique look. The vividness of the colors are different. There is always something new to discover.
At first glance, it may appear the same. We should never base anything on a first glance, though. There is so much more. There is enough that it takes my breath away nearly every time. I am even surprised by the beauty.
This morning’s painting came with a bonus. As I was traveling, I caught a glimpse of a falling star. And just like that, I was amazed. Do stars “fall” all the time? Sure, they do. But do they fall in front of me? That doesn’t happen nearly as often. And when it does, just wow. Today’s painting was even more awe-inspiring than usual. But I did have to get out of bed. I did have to get moving to see it. Most importantly, I had to be willing to pay attention and to see with a lens which wasn’t cynical or too grown up. I had to be willing to see it all again…for the first time. And because I was, the painting was more magnificent than I could have imagined.
May your views become brand new. May your eyes see the painting being composed right before you. May you be amazed by the Artist.
Focus Scripture:
Job 38:34-38
34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
so that a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts,
or given understanding to the mind?
37 Who has the wisdom to number the clouds?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 when the dust runs into a mass
and the clods cling together?
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 