In Christian circles, “beauty” is sometimes treated as a bad word. We have retaliated against the secular obsession with physical beauty so much that we’ve also allowed real, true beauty to be forgotten.
A colleague reminded us last week that Beauty is a gift from God. In fact, Truth, Goodness, and Beauty are His trifecta. We should pursue each, enjoy each. And Christians from times past did a terrific job of reflecting God’s beauty. Artists, poets, composers, and scientists from earlier centuries used those mediums to reflect and praise God’s creation, His goodness, and His gifts.
We watched a video where images of creation were shown in high-definition. The narrator noted that the colors and designs we see in nature – from flowers to butterflies, peacocks to fish – are astounding. They reflect, not randomness, but design; not simply functions, but intricate beauty. The peacock, for instance, has a tail that is perfectly symmetrical, whose multiple feathers are iridescent. This bird is just beautiful, for beauty’s sake. Plenty of others in that species attract mates without the help of that kind of ostentatious plumage. God was just showing off when He designed the peacock!
My husband enjoys keeping a fish tank, and while I do pretty much nothing to help with it, I have asked that he keep the tank saltwater rather than freshwater, because tropical fish are so lovely. And they’re relaxing to watch. Why do you think so many doctors’ and dentists’ offices have tanks in them? They calm scared children (and adults) simply by doing what they are designed to do. They enthrall us because they are beautiful.
Beauty is not a secular creation. God created beauty. And like all of His gifts, Beauty can be distorted and perverted. But in its purest, truest form, it’s a means to worship the Creator. After our talk at school, I started looking around more – up at the myriad colors in the sky, as it transitions from day to night; down at the tiny flowers, blades of grass, even the insects that frighten or annoy. They’re beautiful. Designed by a God who considers the smallest details, for whom Beauty is a reflection of His character and creativity.
Christians, Beauty is ours. True beauty. Enjoy it, claim it, and allow the beauty that God has given to draw us closer to Him in worship and praise.
