Beauty
Is there any practical function of it?
Perhaps not to the unbeliever.
Yes, anyone can "enjoy" beauty.
en·joy
inˈjoi,enˈjoi/
verb
To take delight or pleasure in.
But, really. Is there any other function?
For me, and many other believers, it points to a greater reality.
It is but a glimpse into eternity.
C.S. Lewis says,
“We do not want merely to see beauty... we want something else which can hardly be put into words- to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it. That is why we have peopled air and earth and water with gods and goddesses, and nymphs and elves.”
Isn't it true? I mean, when I see beauty, you know... the breathtaking kind. Be it the Oklahoma sky, a mountain range, a wheat field dancing with the wind, or even the uniqueness and softness of a beautiful woman's face... I love to admire it and be captivated by it although it does nothing "essential" for me.
Many would say that admiring beauty is not necessary for survival. Indeed, if you have food, water, shelter and clothes, you will do just fine. Perhaps.
But I consider it a privilege and even a necessary ingredient to living fully. Beauty gives me hope and anticipation for when I am finally glorified in Christ. It tells me that the ugliness of this world will one day be overcome by goodness.
Beauty comes in to an ugly space. It intervenes. Ugliness is the absence of beauty.
Isn't that what God does?
He comes IN to our lives. We don't go out and stumble upon him casually.
He makes us beautiful and tells us one day, all things will be reconciled in His Son.
For now, we get glimpses of the future.
Here are some breathtaking glimpses from this morning:
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