Angels Around Us: Finding Messages in the Everyday
"When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts." - Mary Baker Eddy
Introduction:
I've always been fascinated by angels. Painting them fills me with a sense of wonder and possibility. But my understanding of angels goes beyond their traditional image. I believe angels are all around us, their messages disguised as ordinary moments of beauty, kindness, and intuition. Let's explore this concept together.
Angels Around Us: Finding Messages in the Everyday
Angels. The word conjures up images of grand, robed figures with shimmering wings, but what if angels are far more subtle than we imagine? What if they exist all around us, hidden in plain sight? For me, painting angels is not simply about capturing their traditional portrayal. It's about exploring the idea that angels are messengers, and their messages are woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
Angels: More Than Meets the Eye
The concept of angels appears throughout various religions and spiritual traditions. In the Bible, the word "angel" comes from the Greek "angelos" and the Hebrew "mal'akh," both of which mean "messenger." Angels are not just celestial beings; they are agents of communication, delivering guidance and support from a higher power.
Here are some examples from the Bible that highlight this:
Genesis 19:1: Angels appear as ordinary travelers to warn Lot of impending danger.
Luke 1:26-38: The angel Gabriel brings Mary the message that she will give birth to Jesus.
Acts 12:7-10: An angel appears to Peter in prison, miraculously freeing him.
These stories illustrate that angels can take many forms. They may manifest as strangers, in dreams, or even through seemingly ordinary occurrences.
Finding the Angel Messages
How do we recognize these angelic messages in our everyday lives? Here's how I like to think about it:
Coincidences and Synchronicity: Have you ever had a run of "lucky breaks" or felt like everything was falling into place in an uncanny way? Those seemingly random coincidences could be an angel's way of guiding you.
Intuition and Inner Voice: That gut feeling that tells you to take a certain path or avoid a particular situation – that could be an angelic nudge.
Nature and Beauty: The beauty of a sunrise, birds in flight, or a sudden ray of sunshine breaking through clouds can feel like a touch of the divine, a whispered message of hope and love from a higher realm.
My Journey with Painting Angels
When I paint angels, I'm not trying to replicate a specific religious image. My angels are more abstract, often emerging from vibrant swirls of color or textured patterns. I want them to represent the intangible, whispering presence of guidance in our lives.
Painting angels allows me to tap into a sense of wonder and possibility. It reminds me that the unseen realms are just as real as the tangible world, and there is a loving force working behind the scenes, even when we're unaware.
The Angels in Your Life
I invite you to open your eyes and heart to the angel messengers around you. Pay attention to unexpected kindness from a stranger, moments of inexplicable peace, or those unexplainable hunches that lead you down a better path.
The next time you see a painting of an angel, remember: it's not just a pretty image. It's a powerful symbol that the universe is filled with love, guidance, and infinite possibilities waiting to unfold.
