Beauty Finding

We can all have some beauty in our lives regardless of our situation, but we may need to stop and be present in reality to find it.

On a golden sunny morning, I look out of our kitchen’s bay window through trees in full leaf, birds chirping and vying for a place at the feeders, enjoying their lives. Down the mossy hill of our back yard, across a fresh water pond and road, the glittering waves of salt water create moving wonder in a small bay off the greater Conception Bay, Newfoundland. I thank God for the beautiful place He’s provided for my wife and I to enjoy our last years. I’m also very grateful for the natural beauty He’s provided in this world for all His children to enjoy.

God has given much splendor for his people, but sadly the world often gets in the way of it. Try settling your mind, have a look out a window or perhaps from your front or back step - consider Jesus and what He may be up to. Is someone helping a child grow or enjoying a new puppy tumbling over itself as it learns what feet are for, are people smiling as they enjoy each other’s company. There is much beauty in happy folks delighting in the lives God gave them.

If you are fortunate to have a park or natural setting nearby, the beauty of nature will provide peaceful pleasure. There’s wonderful comradery between people in these environments while hiking, swimming, enjoying a family picnic or other activities; please slow down, consider the happiness and beauty of life in the moment. Maybe reflect on them birds. Whether a crow cawing, dove cooing or songbirds paying someone for their food. That’s audible beauty that’s been given for us to enjoy.

Much natural beauty exists in the world God gave us, take a moment, stop and look around. Remember “ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-11).” We usually have to do at least one of those to find what we want; please look and see, listen and hear, smell, taste or feel the beauty around you – it will be somewhere close by. But how to find beauty in a society that’s largely self-centered and antagonistic? How can we find beauty, when we can’t see God, when we don’t recognize Jesus, when we refuse to hear the Holy Spirit – when most of what we see, hear and think about is ourselves, the world and its ways? It would be good to consider what Paul said in Philippians 4:8.

If you’re brave enough to watch the evening “news,” consider the source of so much human tragedy: lies, greed, revenge, wars, drug problems, disasters and death. You’ll rarely hear God or Jesus mentioned there, and when they are left out true beauty cannot exist. If you need a break, check for positive news sites on the internet, there you’ll find human encouragement, hope and beauty. 

Our Father allowed us free will and provides His spirit to guide us in it. But free will can be manipulated and controlled by the world – how are you using yours?

We’re all aware of much that’s happening in the world today. Please think about that question and consider; what could happen in our society if more folks would honestly seek to know the love and beauty of Jesus Christ?