Light and Memories
Did you know when a beam of light shines across your path, it alters your DNA? Wow!
December is a special time of year with a profusion of lights on trees, with homes and communities arrayed in colorful garments.
Don’t you love the colors and lights of Christmas?
Close your eyes and take a deep breath, allowing memories of childhood to flood back. Smell the delicious aromas of baking cookies, the cinnamon and spices of pumpkin pies, and the heavenly scent of pine needles.
Did you do it?
That little exercise caused your hypothalamus to engage with the colors, lights, and scents – linking the past with the present – by stimulating the production of healthy neurotransmitters and hormones to flood your immune system. Once activated, your mood lightens, and you feel energized.
Take another deep breath and relax. As you do, feelings of harmony and safety grow, causing you to feel connected with yourself and others.
You must be wondering where I am going with this.
Unresolved trauma locks your muscles into the fight/flight/freeze survival responses that create the cause–effect impact of discomfort when your neck, shoulder, and back muscles tense.
Over time, such tension can result in chronic pain.
But did you know past trauma triggers multiple areas in your body to tense up, including your eye muscles? It is true. That tension creates chronic constriction that cuts off light by narrowing your eyelids as your brain locks into trying to protect you from danger.
It delights me to think how Light burst into our world. Light is full of color. Scripture teaches us God uses light and color as an antidote to trauma and abuse, fear and anxiety, darkness and despair.
Unresolved trauma limits vision, but God has given us color for specific reasons.
Let me explain.
God loves color! He wants to bless you as His colorful palette spills color over your life.
For the last few weeks, I’ve been immersed in the colors of the tabernacle, noting the red ram’s skin covering, the exquisite veil of blue, purple, and scarlet, and the silver, gold, and bronze vessels for worship.
But this week, I’ve been arrested by the high priestly garments.
Let’s paint a quick picture to gain a glimpse of the splashes of color that delighted the hearts of Israel when Aaron was initiated as High Priest.
God’s Instructions for Color are Precise and Intentional
Moses washed Aaron. Though he was the elder, he had to fully surrender himself without trying to direct or help his younger brother. God was doing a new work within Creation. Once that was finished, Moses dressed Aaron in fine white linen. The white tunic was spotless, and in its purity, it represented righteousness.
The next step was to array Aaron in a beautiful blue robe. God loves blue! There is something sacred and calming about blue. Did you know it can even lower your blood pressure? Around the hem of the blue robe were pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, alternating with gold bells.
The ephod was an interweaving of gold beaten into thread, fine linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. Worn over the tunic and robe, it covered the shoulders and reached to the thighs. A memorial stone set in gold and engraved with the names of the children of Israel was on each shoulder.
Connected to the ephod was the breastplate – on which were the four rows of semi-precious stones set in gold, one for each tribe of Israel. Blue cords, gold chains & rings held it together.
Moses wrapped a white turban of fine linen around Aaron’s head. Over his forehead, Moses tied a gold plate saying HOLINESS TO THE LORD in place with blue cords.
But Moses wasn’t quite finished. He took a girdle of beautiful needlework woven from scarlet, blue, and purple and tied it around Aaron’s kidney and waist area. One by one, with an attitude of worship, Moses placed each beautiful and colorful garment on Aaron. Each color and object declared God’s righteousness and His salvation.
Scripture teaches us God uses light and color as an antidote to trauma and abuse, fear and anxiety, darkness and despair.
Do colors have meaning?
Yes!
- Blue reminds us of heaven and God’s holiness.
- Scarlet or red speak to us of the blood sacrifice offered to cleanse from sin.
- Purple denotes royalty. Splashes of purple reminded the Israelites of the kingdom of God. As His children, they were of royal heritage.
- Gold represents purity, a king, and a kingdom. Its great value comes at the cost of affliction. To be refined, it must be heated repeatedly over the fire, which causes the dross to rise to the surface.
- Yellow speaks of hope and lightens the hearts of those suffering from depression.
Have you ever thought, “What difference does it make what Aaron wore?” I have.
What is the significance of the priestly garments?
The key to the significance of the priestly garments lies in the colors. And Aaron is a picture of you and me, who as believers, have become priests to our God.
A White Tunic for Righteousness
I love how Moses stood in the place of humility as he served Aaron. In the same way, the Lord humbly stands to serve you.
He bids you come in surrender to Him. When you do, He washes you with His precious blood, cleansing you from all sin. Joyfully, He places a pure white tunic upon you – a tunic of righteousness.
Your Nakedness Is Covered By This Robe
God the Father covers you with the robe of righteousness, clothing you in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no shame or guilt as you stand before the Father, for He sees you as pure and spotless, covered by the blood of the Lamb. He sets you apart, making you His child; you are royalty.
Clothed in the robe of holiness, He exalts you into a place of honor in Christ Jesus.
You Are Clothed in Beautiful Colors
The threads forming the belt of truth and the mantle over your shoulders, which cover your back and chest, are blue, scarlet, and purple.
When you sin, you have an advocate with the Father – even Jesus Christ – the great High Priest – who died in your place. Humbly confess your sins, and the blood of Jesus will cover and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
You Reflect the Beauty of God
I find it fascinating the artisans used beaten threads of gold woven with the yarn into the girdle and the mantle. Adversity is a part of the life of any who walks with Jesus.
God uses that adversity – if you allow Him – to purify you, so you reflect the beauty of His character. Aaron had to present himself before the Lord and Moses – letting go of control. He had to be obedient, even though it felt uncomfortable.
Will You Bow Your Head?
Aaron had to bend his head so Moses could place the turban and mitre on him.
You and I must bow our heads before the KING of all kings so He may put the helmet of salvation upon us.
Not only does He give us salvation, but the Father has given you the mind of Christ – you, too, wear a gold plate across your forehead saying HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Stay with me now.
- God chose you!
- When He washed you clean, the blood of Jesus canceled out all guilt or shame.
- Arrayed by the Creator of the Universe in beautiful and colorful garments, you are no longer naked.
- In Him, you have a new identity.
- God anointed and set you apart to be a king and a priest unto Himself.
- You are His treasure.
You see my point, right?
The light of the body is in the eyes. And that light will change your DNA and your entire life!
Through light, you discern color and definition.
Through gazing at Jesus – who is the Light of the world, looking at His wonderful face, your eyes begin to relax, strengthening your sight and causing the veil to lighten.
In the place where the Lord positions you – you become capable of seeing the beauty of His face. And as you do, you reflect His beauty, glory, and fragrance.
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God, And we shall reign on the earth.’” Revelation 5:8-9 (NKJV)
