Turmeric Plant Reflection | Romans 11:33 | God is Wise
In the month of July, many of us are returning to the rhythm of work after the June school holidays. It feels like a halfway mark in the year, a point where we begin to look ahead and find renewed momentum for the months to come. It is a season of pressing on, of continuing what we have started.
This artwork is inspired by the theme God is Wise. In every season, whether we feel steady or uncertain, God’s wisdom is something we can depend on. While human wisdom can fail, His wisdom remains perfect and unchanging.
The verse for this piece comes from Romans 11:33.
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unscrutable his ways!”
Romans 11:33
God’s wisdom is deep and rich. It is beyond what we can fully understand. His ways are higher than ours, and there is nothing that can outdo or outsmart Him.
For this artwork, I chose to draw the turmeric plant, Curcuma longa. I was drawn to it because of its roots. Turmeric is well known for its rhizomes, which are widely used in cooking and have a distinct flavour. At the same time, the plant produces beautiful flowers with layered forms.
I wanted to choose a plant known for strong roots because it reminded me that when something is well rooted, it can grow and flourish. The turmeric plant also has these intricate layers in its flower, and that made me think about how wisdom is not always obvious at first glance. There is depth to it, and often we only begin to see it when we take time to look more closely.
There are many times when I find myself relying on human wisdom rather than God’s. It can feel easier to trust what is visible, logical, and immediate. Yet God continues to remind me that His wisdom is the only one that is truly reliable and perfect.
Another passage that I hold close is from 1 Corinthians 1:25.
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
This reminds me that God’s ways do not always align with what the world considers wise. In fact, what may seem foolish or weak in human eyes is often where God’s wisdom is most clearly revealed.
It is humbling to know that God does not depend on human strength or status. Instead, He works through our weaknesses to show His wisdom and power. The more I come to know Him, the more I realise that He is someone I can truly depend on.
The next time you see a turmeric plant, may it remind you of the depth and richness of God’s wisdom. Like roots hidden beneath the surface, His wisdom is steady, nourishing, and life-giving.
When you find yourself choosing between your own understanding and God’s wisdom, which will you trust?