Mystery envelopes this painting, which holds much more than meets the eye. It began long ago when I salvaged an outdated Olan Mills Portrait from my husband’s employment. After I soaked and peeled off the paper, I covered the raw canvas with layers of white gesso.

Not wanting to waste anything, I saved the sludge from the bottom of my brush cleaning can and covered the white gesso with this neutral brown-gray paint. Once it dried, I added a layer of soft blue around the perimeter. Next, I randomly added flower-sized splotches of pink, yellow, white, purple, red, and orange, plus greenery.

After perusing painting books, I decided to transform those splotches into roses. Unfortunately, I never liked painting flowers because of the detailed precision required to make them believable. Yet, I took up the challenge to conquer my lack of confidence and inability. I did this for fun and practice, without any plan for an accompanying blog.

I asked God to help me visualize the structure of a rose and transfer it accurately onto the canvas. Layer after layer of imposed paint daubs created shadows and highlights, creating the appearance of 3-D roses. My trembling hands scoffed at my attempts to work on the details, yet, determination won. Then the background took form, and joy rewarded my hard work.

I recently realized I’m more of an illustrator, which means the illustration needs to emerge from a story, not the other way around. Now, what spiritual encouragement could I glean from a bouquet of roses? I wasn’t even sure about the result—was it too colorful? Maybe I should have made them all the same color. Why did I paint so many instead of just a few? I berated myself for being such an over-achiever.

Finally, I offered it to the Lord and said, “I want this painting to glorify You and encourage people. What do You want me to do now? What is the analogy, the mystery behind these roughly painted flowers?”

I could almost hear Him laugh. Nothing is too hard for Him, not even analogies for amateur artists. I knew He remained with me throughout the process. He held my hands for the details and stilled my shaking brush once it touched the canvas. He kept my phone steady enough to center and not blur the photo. Then He quietly revealed its mystery, one thought at a time. 

First of all, I know God redeems our past. He does not waste anything and uses the sludge of our sin to make us aware of our need for a Savior. “(The LORD) who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion (Psa 103:4).

Next, I sent a photo of the roses to my granddaughter, Anna, and asked her to give me her first impressions. She insightfully wrote back, “My first impression of the roses was one of how beautiful different colors and types of roses can be together, just like a mix of people from different backgrounds and stories can make a beautiful community of friends and family.” 

Oh, she is so right. We are God’s bouquet—all different colors, and each one is as valuable as the next. Though we are all still “in the rough,” God promised to continue and complete His work in us. He is the Redeemer who not only redeems my paintings but His children. Like each rose, each life is a masterpiece of His design and purpose. He promised to use all the circumstances of our lives to conform us to the beautiful image of His son (see Rom 8: 28-29). And He created each of His blood-bought children to reflect the Master’s heart of love and grace.

As we hang paintings on our walls for others to enjoy, God makes us visible to the whole universe of angels and human beings (see 1Co 4:9). Paul writes, “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose… ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” (Phl 2:12-15).

Not only are we on display to the whole universe, but we, like roses, symbolize God’s love in the world. Just as white roses mean purity and holiness, God calls us to live in purity and holiness. Red roses mean passion and sacrifice, which speak of His passionate love and sacrifice for us. As yellow roses mean wisdom and joy, Jesus is our wisdom, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Pink roses mean gratitude and peace, while we express gratitude to the Lord for His peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, purple or lavender roses mean wonder, awe, and change for the better. Is that not precisely our response to our Almighty God, who reconciles us to Himself and transforms us into the image of His Son?

In the Song of Solomon, the rose of Sharon symbolizes the beauty of King Solomon’s lover. Our eternal Bridegroom also sees us, His Church, as His beautiful Bride. Receiving His love, she confidently says, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys” (Sol 2:1). 

Michael Bradley writes, “Nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus actually referred to as the rose of Sharon. However, He is symbolically referred to as the rose of Sharon by many. The rose is considered the most ‘perfect’ of all flowers. Jesus is totally perfect in His nature and personality. [Through Jesus] God is trying to tell us of the personal love relationship He wants to establish with each and every one of us.”

The mystery in this painting of roses unveils our unique part in God’s beloved bouquet. Jesus is the perfect rose given to us by the Father to reconcile us to Himself. Each petal gradually opens to symbolize the unfolding spiritual wisdom we gain daily as we follow Him. Together, we form God’s masterpiece to reveal Him in a dark and unbelieving world.

This 1912 hymn by Charles Austin Miles expresses the relationship God has always wanted with His children—intensely personal, loving, conversing, and joyful.

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.