For Beauty's Sake

I am always on the lookout for true beauty.  It usually catches me by surprise at the oddest moments, prompting me to say, "that's the most beautiful thing I've seen all day".  Today, in my white and green neighborhood, stood a large multicolored glazed flowerpot done in an ethnic style.  It was all by itself, and evoked another brighter culture than this one.  It did not even need a plant to do it justice.  It just was.  Later, as I was driving down a very ugly stretch on South Congress, there was a couple walking.  The lady had on a long, strawberry flared skirt, a sleeveless purple shirt tucked into it, a large, wide-brimmed straw hat, and massive Jackie O glasses on.  The man with her was not dressed extraordinarily, just had jeans and a plaid shirt on.  What struck me was the way they were conversing with each other so animatedly and grinning.  Though every bit of the woman's bright clothing was completely out of style (except the retro glasses) and the man wore nothing special, it was their vibrant connectedness that got me and their fearlessness to be happy in front of everyone.  Because of this I could not only forgive the outdated styles, but rejoice in them for their color and reflection of the couple themselves.  Truly beautiful. 

Beauty isn't just in sight alone, though.  I am right now enjoying the enveloping beauty of a very uniquely-scented candle my sister-in-law bought me.  Its scent is "cilantro mint", a combination I'd never sniffed in my life.  As one person said who smelled it, "you could get drunk off of that".  It's true.  This heady, permeating scent and the steady burning flame have been keeping me company all evening.  Such warmth in beauty.

As for daily beauty, I am forever being reminded of it within my own apartment.  My two ceiling lights refract the light with patterns like a diamond caught in sun.  When everything is just so and I can sit and gaze at the bright and tawny colors against my cream walls, I feel as though I inhabit the inside of a Tiffany egg.  There is such an urge inside to become one with the beauty I see, to truly inhabit it.  Living inside my home's beauty is a close earthly equivalent. 

Whenever I am caught by beauty I am reminded that what I am seeing is indeed a glimpse of what heaven is going to be like.  When I am there I won't just see glimpses and windows--I'll live in it always, for God is there, surrounded by rainbows and inextinguishable light.  When I gaze around, every bit will be beauty, and even when I close my eyes the wholesome light of heaven will permeate my lids. 

Here on earth I still believe beauty changes things.  "I want to add to the beauty", as Sara Groves sings, and through my life give the world a glimpse of the beauty and glory of God.  Lord, give me an unafraid heart to express and create beauty in all its myriad ways for Your name's sake.  Amen.