Elements of Life

Some say Variety is the spice of life. And for artists, it is an element or a building block of art. 

When I took art classes as a youth, I would tune the teachers out as they shared the Elements and Principles, not knowing really what they were for. 

It turns out that, whether or not you notice it, you are instinctively using them when you create. Naturally, we try to implement Contrast when something isn’t clearly seen and the marks that we make become Lines and often turn into Shapes. Color opens up so many possibilities. All of these pieces are working together to form a beautiful and cohesive tapestry. 

God’s creation is the same, giving us a myriad of ways to be inspired. It seems that I discover a new species of something each time a nature show is on. All these creatures have the fingerprint of our Maker, showing us his Patterns and Shapes.  

This is one of the many reasons, I believe that we are to embrace and be delighted in the differences of mankind. The Variety you see in each person, the Lines of their faces, and the Patterns of their lives ought to inspire more love and a willingness to learn.  Perhaps developing an understanding within our differences takes a little more time, but I think if we are intrigued and curious that is enough to get started. 

Just like the Art History professors who urge us to look deeply, to ponder for a while, and to think about what we see, Jesus reminds us to slow down and “love one another.” When the scriptures say that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” it uses these terms to show us that we were made with great care and reverence. Paul expands on this when he says that we are “His workmanship.” The word workmanship or Poiema only being used one other time in this way to refer to God’s creation.  

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

So here we are expressing the attributes of God, not only in the design of our lives and deeds, but as New Creations we acknowledge the care, respect, and remarkable ways in which others are made. With Variety, with Contrast, in different Colors - we are the Coat of Many Colors of God’s Son. We are the tribes, tongues, and nations that God longs for. 

~Nancy Rodriguez