God definitely is continuing teaching me about His sovereignty over all. Last year, He placed quite a few circumstances to help me see things are not always defined in black and white terms, but more often black, white, and gray. Because of this, and because I often miss the gray area when thinking, I decided to capture any picture that I take for Instagram this year in black and white. I haven't taken many this year, but each time I do, I notice so many variations and nuances in black, white, and gray. Sometimes the images look so different and I see details I would have missed had the image stayed in full color.
Life is like that for me. If you look at the picture above, I was using these items to begin a new art project. I was experimenting with using some different materials and new ways to manipulate the materials. After I finished, I was frustrated because it didn't look anything like I anticipated. I felt like the project was a failure. I was angry because I wasted time experimenting when I could have made progress on the actual project. I should have just stuck to what I knew how to do. After leaving the papers on the floor for a while, I came back and snapped a picture of the pile. I turned the image into black and white and my perspective changed. I could see where I shaded better. I could see the graphic impact of the design better. I could also see where I could improve and modify to create more of what I desired. Instead of feeling like a failure, I saw where I could make changes and go forward in learning. By seeing the radiant shades of gray, I saw that it was ok that I tried something new. It allowed me to grow in my artistic abilities.
God allows circumstances to come into our lives. Instead of seeing them as black and white, failure or success, maybe it is time to view the circumstances through the radiant shades of gray. What was good about that experience? Where did we grow? What can we take forward with us? I'm reminded of a conversation I had with some of my single friends a few months ago. We were talking about God bringing dating situations into our lives and it not working out like we hoped. One friend made a very profound statement. She said that while meeting this man for coffee could be viewed as another failed attempt in dating, it actually opened her eyes to how mature a Christian man could be, and that is what she was looking for in life. She didn't see the coffee date as black or white, but saw the truth through the radiant shades of gray. Her perspective helped me view my circumstances in a different way. I may think this friendship failure, or this way of teaching math failed, but instead I need to look at the radiant shades of gray and learn.
Where do you need a little radiant shades of gray perspective today? Take a moment and reflect on those things you feel are either successes or failures. Process them with grace and find where you can take those lessons with you into the future.
