Color of the Year
I may be biased, but if you ask me, color is one of the most amazing gifts God gave the world. When He came up with that one, He really blew the lid off. We never saw Eden, but Earth still takes the breath away. Color envelops us everywhere; the harmonious monotones of the natural world interspersed with the vibrant, often garish swipes of man’s touch. Color fuels us, firing up different parts of the brain, body and emotion. It stimulates us on a visceral level, rivalling the power of words. Color has a lot to say, but prefers to sing it; a sheer, breathtaking concert for the senses.
In early December, an important announcement was made. It came not from the lofty heights of Buckingham Palace, but close; from Pantone the prestigious. A vanguard of the industry, this company masterminded the standardization of color identification. More famously, they are responsible for the ubiquitous ‘Color of the Year’, used by designers and industry insiders everywhere. For 2018, Pantone presented ‘Ultra-violet’; a deep, saturated shade, vibrating equally between blue and purple. Described as inventive, imaginative, complex and contemplative, count on seeing this color cropping up everywhere.
Frankly, I’m fascinated by the new colors of the season. The designer in me cannot ignore them. While designating a color to a certain year may sound silly on the surface, in actuality, it’s significant. World prophets are assessing the current zeitgeist, and catching the fresh, prophetic indicators God is releasing to a new season. They set the tone and the whole direction; major indicators with which to craft the coming year, so pay attention. How will ‘Ultra-violet’ interpret to a spiritual context? What shall we look for?
Pantone 18-3838 is a color with serious heft. This brilliant shade pulsates with energy and intent. Firstly, major and significant shifts will be manifest. Purple is always associated with royalty, indicating that king-ships are falling, and crowns transferring. Back in October, when the Harvey Weinstein scandal rocked Hollywood, it was the irresistible tipping point for the exposure of foundational corruption regarding power and sexual exploitation. The ripple effect is being felt everywhere, as other patriarchal-dominated industries are called to account for long-ignored misogyny and wage inequity. This tsunami of justice has divine clout behind it. Over large territories, and for a long time, the testing of male stewardships has run its course. Time’s Up. Strongholds of bias, partiality and the Old Boys Club are going to take a beating. Like a black-light used in forensics, ultra-violet will expose what is not seen by the naked eye. Mene, Mene, Tekel, Uparsin.
The end-days anointing for ‘The Bride’ is arising. Secularly, you can feel it in the explosion of feminine power, wealth, and influence. Not all the feminist, diva rhetoric is holy or helpful, but it is indicative of the Lord’s intent in leveling playing fields of gender that have been out of shwack since Eve ate the apple. In Christ, there is neither male nor female, slave nor free. (Gal 3:28). The reality of this redemptive truth is become actualized on the earth as the day of Christ grows closer. Dignity to women is being reinstated.
In 2 Samuel 13, we find the horrific story of the rape of Tamar. Amnon, her half-brother, lures her, through pretext, into his chambers, where he violates her. In her extreme anguish and humiliation, she rends her stunning, one-of-a-kind, daughter-of-the-King royal robe, and sits in ashes and sack-cloth. On 12 October 2017, 5:56 a.m. the Lord told me clearly “the long-sleeved robe of the virgin daughter (princess) is being restored”. Wow. We are going to see women who have suffered various degrees of mental, physical, sexual or even spiritual mistreatment, healed, vindicated and restored. It’s not going to be because men suddenly start acting like they should. For the woman who looks to Him, the Lord Himself will restore our identity, strength and beauty (Phil 3:21). The power of ‘male’ for good or bad over us, acting as the mirror for self-worth, will be broken.
It’s the year of Bara ‘the Creator’ (Eccesiastes 12:1). Bara (Strong’s 1254) captures the idea of cutting, shaping, fashioning and forming, with a special emphasis on ‘paring the reed for writing’. Imagination, originality and initiative will be multiplied. Creativity and ingenuity will explode in leaps and heaps (Judges 15:16). What has been authorized by the Creator, and what has not, will be clearly differentiated. This is the year previous limitations and restraints are removed and old boundaries erased, especially in the availability of resources.
Another word that is rising strongly in my spirit regarding ‘Ultra-violet’ is from Acts 16:11-15. There, a Greek woman is identified as ‘Lydia, a seller of purple’. Lydia is a very singular entity in Scripture; a gentile believer with her own home and business. A Woman of the Spirit, rich in wisdom and experience, will be showcased like a jewel. She is the ‘seller of purple’ (godly wisdom) more precious than any earthly resources. As far as we know, Lydia was an unmarried woman; these are going to have His special attention and favor. Women not blessed with fathers, husbands or other protectors are going to finally experience a mantle of protection. Abba will seriously aid and promote them (Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 33:16).
Women’s projects, endeavors and dreams, so slow in incubation, and long deferred, are coming to fruitful manifestation. Proverbs 31 entrepreneurialism on both the natural and spiritual plane, will be seen and celebrated. Like the merchant ships, the woman of God has garnered the precious cargo of wisdom and experience, and she’s coming into port. (Ezekiel 27:9). “She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.” Proverbs 31:19
Jump into the rich, plummy tones of 2018. Lay a hold of God’s endowments and set seasons for specific advancements. Only the level of your boldness limits you.