Sadly, the world seems to appreciate only outward beauty. A beautiful woman outwardly, is sometimes noted in the Old Testament, so it's not like this beauty is bad. However, we know that there needs to be more than that. And what about those of us who are not beautiful, or handsome outwardly? But the point here is that we look at beauty too superficially.
"Beauty is more than skin deep." It's not a trite saying that one can be homely (ugly) on the outside, and yet be a beautiful person. Beauty denotes something that attracts others. And wins others over. We find it in one's character. In their love expressed through their manner and actions.
Real beauty is found in the one who came. Who became one of us. Of whom it is written:
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,But we read on in that passage and find a beauty which will never allow us to see things in the same way, ever again. A beauty that in grace draws us. A beauty that can change us forever.
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:2
Our goal in Jesus is to become like him. As we're drawn to, and behold his beauty and glory, we're changed from glory to glory into his resemblance. We can more and more take on the image of our Lord, as we continue to gaze on his beauty.
We're all tempted to see beauty superficially. To buy into the world's standard of beauty. But we in Jesus have something far better. We have a beauty that will last forever. And needs to be in every nook and cranny of our lives. At home, in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our church gatherings and fellowships, wherever God is calling us in the world.
Begin to look at Jesus. Study his life in the gospels. Let's ask God to reveal him to us. We together are to become more and more like him. That the world would see his beauty in us. And be drawn to him.
What does beauty look like to you? Or what thoughts would you like to share here?
6 comments:
Beauty is the morning dove I watched in the wee morning hours... trilling and cooing to his partner, inviting her to his side of the pine tree. And beauty was her flight and soft landing and cooing in return.
Ted,
Great post. There is something powerful about discussing this because the world is obsessed with beauty and the pursuit of it.
Thanks for speaking biblically about this.
L.L., I like that. The older I get, it seems, the more I enjoy creation. Things which before I took for granted, I now do not. Thanks for sharing that.
Andre, Thanks. Yes, beauty is powerful. In God and in his creation. All around us. But we abused it. So God redeems it. And does so in an even more beautiful manner, in Jesus, and in his community/church in mission, by the Spirit. I really want to be a part of that.
Of course so much more to be said on this. I do need to read more. Tiredness and a bad cold this week, and getting older, doesn't help. Though I cherish my times of reading.
Ted,
Many things, but I'll mention one. It's getting closer to Spring and I enjoy the beauty of the birds returning. I'm not a birdwatcher, but Sheila taught me to to watch the simple beauty of a nighthawk diving through the air. Thanks for the post!
Yes, Dan. It's good to have another say those kind of things to the rest of us, who need that. It is amazing, in a way, the beauty that is everywhere if we just have eyes to see it.
Another blogger friend, Rob Merola (Father Rob), has awed me with his pictures of simple creation around him. The closeups and beauty there, are simply wonderful, I think. (maybe a new hobby for me, is just around the horizon)
Thanks.
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