💖 DEVOTIONAL:
📖 SCRIPTURE:
“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw,”
- 2 Kings 6:17 (ESV)
Life can often feel like a predictable routine, where days blend together and our surroundings become familiar and mundane. But every now and then, we need a gentle nudge to remind us of the magnificence that surrounds us. For me, that nudge came a few years ago in the form of the mantis shrimp. This tiny sea creature, with its incredible eyesight, opened my eyes to the possibility of a more vibrant and colorful world.
The mantis shrimp has one of the most complex visual systems in the animal kingdom. Compared to our measly three photoreceptor cells, they can have up to sixteen, enabling them to detect colors that are invisible to humans and see objects in polarized light. They can even distinguish between different types of light, including ultraviolet and infrared.
“Imagine a color that you can’t even imagine. Now do that 9 (or 13) more times. That is how a mantis shrimp do.”
Contemplating these facts makes me wonder: how much of the beauty in the world, physical and spiritual, can we actually perceive? What does life look like in full color? Perhaps we are all still colorblind in many ways.
As creatives, we have the privilege of capturing and conveying the world's beauty in our art. But to do that, we must first learn to see it. We need to train ourselves to look beyond the surface level and search for the hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered.
By seeking the Creator of all things, we can gain a fresh perspective on the world around us. We can ask God to help us see things from His point of view and open ourselves up to a whole new world of possibilities.
So let us strive to be like spiritual mantis shrimps, seeking to see the world in greater fullness. May we ask for eyes that truly see, so we can capture the beauty of God and His handiwork and share His glory through our art with the world. By seeking to appreciate the fullness of creation, we honor the Creator and inspire others to do the same.
🙏 PRAYER:
Dear God, open our eyes to the beauty that surrounds us. May we see the world as You see it, appreciating the intricate details that often go unnoticed. Help us to find joy in the ordinary and the mundane, knowing that in every moment, Your handiwork is on display. Give us the wisdom and discernment to recognize the hidden gems that You have placed all around us, and the courage to pursue them with passion and purpose. Above all, may we see You in everything, and may our art be a reflection of Your creativity and love. Thank You for the gift of creation, and for the opportunity to explore it with wonder and awe. May Your name be glorified through all that we create. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
🤔💭 APPLICATION:
What is one small, ordinary thing that you often overlook or take for granted in your daily routine? How can you intentionally shift your perspective to see the beauty in this thing?
Take a walk outside and intentionally look for something beautiful that you may have never noticed before. How does this change the way you view your surroundings?
Spend some time intentionally meditating on the beauty of God's creation. Consider how God's character is displayed in what He has made. What are some ways that you can incorporate this into your daily spiritual practice?
💡 TIP OF THE WEEK:
🤓 Expand your horizons by seeking out new experiences: Explore the world around you! It's full of possibilities waiting to be discovered. How about trying something new? Whether it's a weird new hobby, a tasty exotic dish, or an unusual travel destination, the possibilities are endless! By doing this, you're opening yourself up to a new perspective, and who knows, you might just find a hidden treasure in the form of ideas that you never knew existed. So go ahead, be curious, and explore the world with fresh eyes!
❓Q & A:
I notice you mainly use black, white, and red.. why? —Someone
Great question! When we were just starting out at Indie Beginning, we were all over the place with our color choices. We tried bright colors, earthy tones, and everything in between. But we soon realized that we needed to settle on a consistent color palette if we wanted our content to have a distinct look.
To be completely honest, we didn't put too much thought into it when we ultimately decided on black, white, and pastel red. We just knew (through experimentation with our content) that it was a versatile combination that we could work with. We didn't want to get bogged down by overthinking our color choices, because we knew that there were more important decisions to be made. We're content creators, not indecisiveness creators!
By committing to a specific color palette, we were able to focus on the bigger picture and create content that aligned with our overall vision. It also made it easier for us to create cohesive designs and establish a recognizable brand identity. So while we didn't have a deep meaning behind our color choices, we found that it was a practical decision that allowed us to focus on the important things!
Brian Vee,
Founder, Indie Beginning
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