“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
One thing I’ve learned from Bob Ross is that to show dark, you need light, and to show light, you need dark. That has always struck a chord with me, not just in applying it to my art, but to my life in general.
When I want something to stand out in a piece of art or a design, I use contrast. I might place a light object against a dark background, use a larger font to draw attention to a particular word, or make a certain text bold while keeping the surrounding text lighter. These differences help direct the viewer’s attention and create visual interest.
Let’s look at an example.
I’ve taken the same newsletter template and created two versions. The information, wording, and photographs are exactly the same, but I’ve changed the overall design.
In the original version, the large Breaking News headline immediately catches your attention. The different background sections help separate the information, and the variations in text size and weight guide your eyes through the page.
In my altered version, I reduced some of those differences. The background is more uniform, and the headline no longer carries the same visual emphasis. The information is still there, but the overall design has a different impact.
Neither version changes the message. What changes is how our eyes respond to it. That’s the beauty of contrast! It helps certain elements stand out rather than allowing everything to blend together.
But what does this have to do with our walk with Jesus?
Our lives should reflect a contrast to the world around us.
Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, our thoughts, attitudes, and actions begin to reflect Him. We don’t become perfect, and we certainly don’t always get it right, but there should be a difference.
Think about how we respond to others. When the world responds with anger, we can choose forgiveness. When the world looks out for itself, we can look for opportunities to serve. When the world is divided, we can choose to love. When life is filled with uncertainty and chaos, we can experience a peace that others might not understand.
Remember Matthew 25:40, where Jesus speaks about doing for “the least of these.” When we love others, especially those who are difficult to love, and when we forgive rather than hold onto offenses, we reflect something different. Not so that people will notice us or think more highly of us, but so they might see God’s love through us.
Just as contrast in art draws attention to something, a life being transformed by Christ can stand out in a world that often operates differently.
God created each of us differently. We have different personalities, gifts, talents, and ways of serving. We don’t have to look alike, think alike about every little thing, or have the same abilities to be united in Christ.
In the world, our differences can sometimes be viewed as conflict or division. But within the Body of Christ, those differences can complement one another. We can be different and still work together, each serving a purpose in the body.
I love that thought! We can stand in contrast to the world while remaining unified with one another in Christ.
Just as contrasting elements can bring unity and visual interest to a piece of art, our differences can strengthen the Body of Christ when we are centered on Him.
Perhaps that’s the contrast the world needs to see: people who are different from the world, yet united in Christ.
Reflect
What areas of my life stand out as a “highlight” of God’s presence and transformation?
Like in art, where contrast makes things stand out, what “darkness” in my life has made God’s light even more visible?
If my life were a piece of art, what would be the focal point? What stands out in contrast, and what brings unity?
You must be logged in to post a comment.