Better than Bob the Art Guy?
I remember as a kid watching Bob “Pinky” Ross, the art guy on PBS paint his “happy little trees” and make beautiful landscape scenes out of oil paints and a bunch of funky shaped brushes. This guy was awesome. Not just because of his hair, but because of what he could do with those horse hair paint brushes! I was in awe watching him craft a wilderness scene on the canvas.
Bob “Pinky” Ross doing his mojo at his easel
I watched a 4 minute video today of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Norway, which blew my mind (you can watch the video below). Instead of a two dimensional painting, like Bob on PBS used to paint, now I’m watching Jesus paint the skies in green brush strokes with a splash of solar particles hitting the northern pole of our globe.
Aurora Borealis – Jesus Paints in Green
The Apostle Paul’s theology has helped me to relate better with Jesus when I’m out in the wilderness. In his letter to the Colossians he explained to them that all that we see in the Created world was made by Jesus… he is the designer of all this beauty we see around us.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20)
Thanks to technology today, now we can watch God painting his art in every corner of the world. There is for sure no substitute to going out and seeing it for yourself by spending time with him out in His pristine Creation, but if you can’t get out of the city, as much as you like, videos such as these can be a nice shot in the arm to elicit awe in our hearts as we marvel at God’s art. (Here’s the video from National Geographic that drew my heart to worship our artful Creator)
Take Action
- How can you use video and photo images of God’s Creation to inspire awe and worship in God?
- Try memorizing the verse of Scripture above, and when you see an awesome landscape photo or movie scene, take that opportunity to recite that passage as a way to worship Christ for His beautiful handiwork.
- If you have any great photos or videos of the outdoors, I’d love to see them. Send me your links or photos and if I use them in my blogs I’ll cite you or your own blog so people can enjoy your art!
