Roselle Plant Reflection | Hebrews 4:12 | God is Truth

The artwork for June is inspired by the Roselle plant, Hibiscus sabdariffa. I have always been fascinated by this plant, especially its deep red fruit. It belongs to the hibiscus family and is often used to make teas and drinks.

When I painted this artwork, I chose to emphasise the roselle's dark red stems and fruit rather than its green leaves. I felt that including the leaves would distract from the striking form of the fruit. The roselle fruit has a sharp, spiky appearance that immediately caught my attention.

The theme of this artwork is "God is Truth."

In this day and age, I often feel that we are living in a kind of trust recession. I find myself questioning many of the things I read online. Even videos can be edited or generated by artificial intelligence. It sometimes feels harder than ever to know what is real and what is not.

In the midst of all this uncertainty, I am thankful that God is truth. What He says in His Word is trustworthy and true.

One verse that I hold dear is from Hebrews 4:12.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

— Hebrews 4:12

As I studied the roselle plant while drawing it, I was reminded of this verse. The fruit looks sharp and spiky, and the roselle itself has a distinctly tart flavour. In some ways it mirrors the nature of truth. Truth can be sharp. It can pierce through what is hidden and reveal what is really in our hearts.

At times, truth can feel uncomfortable, but it is also necessary. Just as the tart flavour of roselle gives character to the tea made from it, truth brings clarity and life. Without it, we would not be able to discern what is right or wrong.

I am grateful that I can depend on a God who is truth. He is someone I can fully trust. His words are reliable and do not need to be doubted or second-guessed. At the same time, His truth sees clearly into my own heart. I pray that He will continue to shape me and help me become more like Him each day.

The next time you see a roselle plant with its deep red fruit, may it remind you that God’s Word is living and active, and that His truth is something we can hold on to in a world that often feels uncertain.