If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d highly recommend that you visit the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane, to see Olafur Eliasson’s exhibition, Presence.
One of the highlights is Beauty, a rainbow that visitors can walk through and touch. The website describes it: “Beauty 1993 brings a rainbow close enough for us to touch, together with a fine mist falling gently on our skin and the smell of water. Normally mythical or distant in the landscape, these sensory phenomena are no longer separate from us; here they gently unfurl as we move into the gallery.
Olafur Eliasson first made Beauty very simply as an art student in a Copenhagen garage, using a light and punctured hose. This installation demonstrates his long interest in perception and the importance of our experience as visitors. He believes this is central to the ‘life’ of art. We each have a role in bringing Beauty into being: for Eliasson, we are vital ‘co-producers’ of the artwork.
Walk towards the light and mist, slowly extending your senses. Feel the water. For each of us the experience will be unique. Why? Our height, the angle of the light and drift of the mist all affect what we see. We will each experience Beauty differently, even when we do so together.” https://presence.qagoma.qld.gov.au/guide/artwork/beauty
A perfect creation
It was lovely to be able to walk in and out of the mist and touch the rainbow. The exhibition shows the remarkable skill and creativity of the artist. Olafur Eliasson is described as one of the world’s most influential living artists. For me, as I experienced Presence, my thoughts were drawn to the creator of all life. I thought of God, the greatest artist of all, who created the whole universe.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
God’s original creation was perfect:
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
Genesis 1:31a
The universe was created to show the glory of God
When I searched for Bible verses about creation, I was reminded of the many times that by His creation God calls us to worship and honour Him. This morning, I found it just amazing to go outside at dawn (or at least look through the window, rather than brave the cold winter morning) and see another wonderful sunrise. Last night, I commented on the beauty of the clouds over the moon, and the stars adorning the dark sky.
So here are some verses for you to enjoy as you contemplate your own identity, and ponder the Big Questions Where did I come from? and Where am I going?
The heavens declare the glory of God;
Psalm 19:1
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:3-5
How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.
Psalm 104:24-25
Let the universe rejoice!
Right now, I’m sure you’d agree, the world seems to be in a mess. It’s easy to fear the future, or fall into depression, or wonder if God is really in control of all this mess. But God says over and over that He is in control. He made everything perfect, and His plan is to restore that perfection in heaven. We can be assured that God really does see our trouble, and He cares for us:
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens… When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:1, 3-4
God wants us to be rejoice, and to trust Him in all circumstances. We must look to God to solve the problems of the world, not our own strength or power, or that of earthly politicians, armies, or political systems.
For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Psalm 96:11-12
This is the day
I don’t know what this day/week/year/s holds for you. I do know that many of us are facing all kinds of trouble and danger. I am certain, however, that God is very aware of all of it. And that He plans to do something about it:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (ESV)