Sounds of Scarlet

Someone attempting to describe the color scarlet to a person born blind declared, “It‟s like the sound of a trumpet"

I came across this comment by Phillip Yancey in the preface of a book he wrote with Paul Brand, "Fearfully & Wonderfully Made". It hit me like nothing has in a long, long time. How do you describe anything visual to a person blind from birth. But with a sound, or a touch, or a taste. I see scarlet not as a vibrant, piercing sound of the trumpet, but more like the slow deep voice of a cello as the bow is drawn across the strings. What would I pick for touch? I am thinking a deep aching pain. And for taste, I can only think of a tart bing cherry.

As I pondered this question, I found I was stumped. In fact, I was frustrated that someone would describe scarlet as a trumpet sound. As I have explained, I think otherwise. Then it dawned on me, isn't that what we do with religion. We see the writings of those who long ago experienced and loved God in the best way they could at the time. They were limited by their culture, knowlege, and history. But when I read their words, I see them trying to tell me who He was. It was not wrong or right, it was their experience. In my time, I am doing the same thing. I am trying to figure Him out and trying to speak Him in my words, my life, my faith. It too is limited by this age I live in and this place I find myself.

So where do I or any other Christian come off telling anyone they are wrong!! It's ludicrous. I am blind and can't see it. I am deaf, and don't know it. I can only and should only tell someone else what I feel and what I know. That really is something, isn't it!