The word beauty immediately sparks many images in my mind.
There are the typical images many of us would first mention… The Grand Canyon, sunrises, sunsets, a starry night, a bride walking down the aisle, etc.
When meditating further on “beauty”, more extensive thoughts come to mind… a solid marriage, the smell of a baby’s forehead (I could write a book on this), a soaring bald eagle (I finally was able to see one fairly close just two weeks ago… mind blowing!), the sound of a waterfall, a hug at just the right time, string instruments played together with precision and grace, a swimmer exhibiting a perfect stroke gliding through the water…
As we set our focus on words like beauty, power, wisdom and truth (attributes of God) I see this as an act of worship when the mindset gives the glory to our creator, the creator of all good and beautiful things, our mighty God.
With this, as we intentionally take beauty in, it is a conscious act. Sometimes we can have beauty right in front of us, but if we don’t notice and actively consume the beauty, it is as though it is hidden and we miss it.
Today’s reading link: 2 Corinthians 3
I see a parallel in today’s chapter with taking in beauty as opposed to beauty almost being hidden. As I share Jesus with “future” believers, I often sense a response that tells me they just don’t see it. These are typically intelligent and wise people, however it seems like the beauty of Christ is hidden much like how the following verses refer to a veil covering their hearts, thus hardening their minds.
But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (2 Corinthians 3:14-16)
Jesus’ perfect life was marked by beauty, and even his death while gruesome, was beauty because of what it represented. Further, what greater, more beautiful act can one commit than to defeat death?
Father God, we are all sinners and that sin separates us from you. Show us our selfish and wrong ways so that we may repent in the name of your son Jesus, and what a beautiful name it is. Lift the veil from those who do not yet know your son as lord of their lives. Show us opportunities to share your love, grace, mercy, truth, and beauty. Amen.