The Artists Eye

And every eye shall see. Rev. 1:7 I have a good friend that is an artist. She is helping me look at things with the artists eye. She sent me a picture of a tree at the side of a winding road. In her explanation of the tree she went into detail and she said " Notice the shape of the leaves and branches. They almost have the perfect design of elk horns." Now I have to be honest. All I saw was a tree. But I am learning to look at things differently now. I close my eyes and I can hear the maple sap running down the bark and can imagine the splat as it drops to the forest floor. I picture ants marching side by side as they work together to build their shelter in the trunk of the tree. I marvel at the artists eye that can gaze upon the beauty of God's creation. To have such an eye that is intricately connected to Christ is a gift. But I am learning that you don't have to be an artist to capture this beauty. All you need is a heart of wonder and a willing, anxious desire to meet Christ. The eye of the artist is a wondering, wandering soul. They take journeys as they stop the car, silence the world and marvel at a sunset that is shouting, "Look at me." To the artist life is an adventure as they climb upon a rooftop and sit in silence until the moon and stars touch their shoulders. It is the eye of the artist that can make Christ come alive. They see the delicate beauty of Christ and they marvel at the intricacies of His majesty. They have leaned to see God's signature in the world we live in. Unfortunately in our push and shove world we fail to stop and gaze of the very beauty outside our door. We miss the wave of the trees in our very backyard.. We can't hear the laughter of children at play. The cry of a baby escapes our memory. Like the artist that must dwell upon her subject for hours to catch even the shades in a painting I am learning to ponder the greatness of our Father. Then, and only then, will I capture the beauty of a tree. Father, who is man to be so blessed or ever comprehend the magnitude of all You've done to You I say " Amen." And who is man to realize or ever understand Your unbelievable omnipresence or the movement of Your hand. From the waves that span the ocean to the mountains in the sky I gaze with immeasurable gratitude when ever I open my eyes.