Colors

Today marked another transition in my journey. I left the mountains, forests, wine country, and animals behind as I entered an area known as the Meseta. The Meseta is a plateau in central Spain that is wide open, fairly flat, and often dry.

There is little shade and long stretches between places to stop. At one point today, I walked for over four hours—twelve miles—and saw only four other pilgrims on foot.

In these spaces, walking can become very monotonous, and you have a lot of time to get inside your own head. But this morning I noticed a colorful mural painted on a building. Then about halfway through my walk this afternoon, I began to notice the abundance of vibrant colors around me. Not just the green wheat and hay fields, but the bright plants and flowers that coated both sides of the path I was walking. It lifted my spirits. It blessed me.

Bright colors often reflect God’s creativity and beauty (think of the rainbow in Genesis 9). Many psychologist maintain that there are cognitive and emotional benefits associated with different colors. They can stir awe, gratitude, and wonder, lifting your thoughts beyond the mundane. 

I hope today you can find color in your world. And if you do, I hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is often hidden in this broken and challenging world.

So take a moment and look around…

• Plants in the yard

• A blue sky with bright white clouds

• Artwork hanging in the hallway

• Fresh fruit and veggies in the refrigerator

Look for some color today. And hopefully, when you see it, it will brighten your day, like it did mine.