Potter’s Pink

Jessica’s ministry with art in Rome, Italy takes many forms. Her relationship with the local church is also very important. Jessica recounts how she combined her love of colours with a moment of meditation.

I had prayed for a closer relationship with my church, and God responded. In the space of a month, I was asked to do two different workshops; one with a non-believer and the other with a woman from the church.

In one of the workshops, I spoke to a group of women about the presence of God. I shared something about the devotional book I wrote about colour, scripture and culture, called The Rhythm of Color.

When I shared one of the devotions from the book, I saw the women take a breath and choose to enter the presence of God, even though it was difficult. With these workshops and also with my book, I like to provide tools that women can use when they are alone. It was a gift for me to guide her into God's peace. I am grateful to be able to share my artistic gifts to bring women closer to God and it was a blessing to me. 

The following devotion from The Rhythm of Color is on Potter’s Pink:

I am not sure what words I could use to describe God’s presence. Is there a word worthy of it? Is there an emotion that fully expresses the way it feels? Is there even one color that fully encapsulates it?

When you step into His presence, when you get even just a small taste of it, there is no going back. Your body physically craves that experience. People search the entire world looking for something to satisfy this desire of an all-consuming Presence. We were made to desire it, to find ourselves in a state where only worship and praises are ushered to the King of Kings.We see it reflected in the 
serenity of a calm stream, or the pure joy of a child, or the crisp mountain air.

My favorite place to create is in my studio, surrounded by my music and paintings. I love simply spending time in His presence and allowing the very act of creating to be my worship to Him. In this way, creating becomes a place of intimacy with the Father. Hours can pass and it feels like mere minutes. But of course the reality of life means that I can’t always be in my studio, creating and worshiping. So how can I carry His presence with me wherever I go?

I was once told that everything I do can be done out of a place where I allow His presence to abide. So I tried and quickly realized that I am not very good at it. It was going to take a mental shift to become intentional with my thoughts, with my emotions.

We easily fall into the trap of believing His presence is just found in that intimate creative time, or when the worship band is playing your favorite part of a song that speaks to your heart, or when you are around a person who you admire and who inspires you. These are great things, but if we believe God is everywhere at all times, can we then start to view everything we do as a potential act of worship? If He is everywhere, that means His closeness and His presence is everywhere.

I love how His presence is talked about in Scripture. Over and over again it is all consuming. Psalm 16:11 tell us, "You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”

There is something so opaque about God’s nearness. Like the opaque pinks that a potter uses in his glazes; it becomes more intense when put in the fire. The fire solidifies it.

So how do we start a day in His presence when the kids won’t get up, your alarm didn't go off, you have a bad headache? In His presence there is fullness of joy, so we take our thoughts captive and we realign our mind. Even when we mess up, His presence is still there. We are not perfect, but in Him we can journey in wholeness.

Imagine what your day, your week, and even your business meeting would look like if you surrender each step to His presence.

POTTER’S PINK is deep and opaque. With one Contemplate brush stroke it brings a richness and gentle touch to any painting. You don’t need to use much, just a little goes a long way.

Verses for inspiration

Psalm 139:7 -- Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Exodus 33:14 -- And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

James 4:10 -- Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Psalm 16:11 -- You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Truth for the week

In everything we do from the time we rise to the moment we lay down, His presence can sustain us. We can walk in His presence while performing a small act like driving to work, or while doing something big like creating in our studio space

How can we live practically in His presence? How can we be intentional in our creative moments in intimacy with God? Why not take a creative moment and dedicate it only to Him and see what can come out of it? 

Jessica's book The Rhythm of Color is available in English from https://www.amazon.com/Rhythm-Color-Christian-Experience-Devotional/dp/1778227325