A Different Perspective

STEVE AND I are art nuts. We particularly enjoy and appreciate contemporary art. A favorite Saturday pastime of ours is visiting some of the galleries in Dallas. While kicking around a few weeks ago, Steve and I stumbled upon two fascinating works of art. As we stood in the gallery and studied the paintings, we smiled; they were breathtaking. Because we were not sure if the massive canvases would hang perfectly in the areas we had in mind for them, the gallery owner had the art delivered to us the following Monday on approval. This is the art dealers’ version of a test drive.

They didn’t work out as we had planned—neither of these pieces would fit well or complement the spaces we had in mind for them. However, each work began to come alive, taking on a whole new personality, after hanging in our home for just a few hours. We moved the art from room to room, changing the spotlights, stepping back from the subject, and then moving in close. For forty-eight hours, we worked and worked and worked to find the perfect resting place and the perfect lighting for each piece. Only by considering options and looking at the paintings from many different perspectives did we gain a whole new appreciation for the artist and his gift.

Over the next seven days, I’d like for us to do the same by considering a few topics, each from a very different perspective. Some subjects will require us to move in close—looking at the subject brushstroke by brushstroke. Others will require us to stand back and take in the big picture. And sometimes we’ll even need to shine a new light on the subject to ensure we see the part of the painting that captures its deepest meaning. There is so much we have yet to learn.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

One thing is for sure—we’re all a part of a masterpiece; sometimes we’re just a bit too close to the subject to fully appreciate our role in the creation!

From the book