So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:9
“The painter of the future is a colourist such as there hasn’t been before.”
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in Life According to Vincent, edited by Nienke Bakker and Ann Blokland (Van Gogh Museum) 44.
When this posts I will be traveling in Kyrgyzstan. Appreciate your prayers for a safe and fruitful time.
The header image features a glimpse of Vincent’s Self Portrait with Grey Felt Hat. The audio tour said that this hat communicated he was going into the city on business.
And the painting, at least in real life when I saw it, has depth because of the way he used a mix of bold colors. Then I read this quote from his letters.
It reminds me of my role as a non-profit CEO. I ask God to help me discern direction from God, then I put my proverbial grey felt hat on, and I get to work using bold colors to cast a vision for people to join.
Anyone serving in administration of a church or ministry can probably relate to this. So what is the lesson regarding generosity? Ask yourself if you are a colourist.
A colourist is bold and faith-filled, fearless actually. While everyone aims to preserve the status quo or remain in their comfort zone, the colourist does things in new, inventive, and original ways.
This links to stewardship in this way. A colourist does not focus on what they don’t have (like most people). A colourist looks at what they have and use it with discernment and creativity.
What do you have? How can you use it in inventive, creative, generous, and colorful ways?