“We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design.” Ephesians 1:11 CEB
Fall’s spectacular colors are beginning to show. The trees and bushes will no longer mask themselves with a healthy growing green. Food-producing time is over and now we witness the true colors of each living plant.
As the foliage uncovers great beauty beneath, it’s a perfect time for us to reflect and unearth the true colors of our spirits; the true intentions of our Creator who has plans and purposes to bring his beauty to the earth.
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever, do not abandon the work of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 CSB
Life tends to pile upon us and bury the truth of what God has placed inside us, the reality of his work in our lives. During the month of October, let’s uncover the true colors God has given each child in his creation. With each color, a rainbow of God’s beauty appears to guide and inspire our lives.
At the foundation of our souls lies the love and forgiveness of God our Creator.
Love is the reason God made us. We are the object of his love and caring for us is his primary concern. God created a world where we could commune in loving relationship and when that love became tainted, he expanded his love into forgiveness through the gift of his Son, a sacrifice to repair the rift and allow his spirit to stay connected to us.
Love is the purpose he poured into us. To love God and to love others is God’s greatest desire for us. He has gifted us with various talents, passions and wisdom to share his glorious love. I am reminded of the passage in Matthew 25 where Jesus listed the ways in which God’s love had been shown. “For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in . . . whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me.” (See Matthew 25: 34-40) We share his love time and again in countless ways to countless people.
Love is a ribbon that keeps us connected to God and to each other. God’s ultimate goal is for all living creatures to connect in love through Christ’s salvation. This image is beautifully described in Isaiah 11:
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11: 6-7 When love reigns, peace and harmony reign as well.
Love is the substance of what we are made of and where we are going. The love and forgiveness of God begins a design that God created for each one of us. He helps us to strip away our own selfishness, judgments, and greed until we fully embrace and embody the true color of his magnificent love. Accepting his love and forgiveness fills us with his true colors which spill over to others!
Love is not just an emotion, but a perspective that our hearts follow. We may not always be aware, but love is the motivating factor behind nearly every decision we make. Where we direct that love displays our true colors. Our true colors reside on the inside sometimes masked by the demands and distractions around us, but God pushes those colors to the outside when we turn to him.
This fall, let your true colors shine brighter than ever!
Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul): Visit the scriptures referenced today and begin to feel God’s true colors coming through in you!
Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): Who do you know that needs extra love or compassion this week? What situation or person do you need to forgive? Put your true colors to work and be part of God’s rainbow!
Leave a Reply