Administrator Karen Lemons
AdministratorThe Glory of Beauty: How Aesthetics Reflect God’s Character
God is the ultimate Creator, and all beauty ultimately comes from Him. From the stunning majesty of the natural world to the intricate details of a work of art, God’s handiwork is all around us, reflecting His character and reminding us of His goodness and grace. This is why we are careful at Lemons-Aid to select beautiful literature, study the wonders of science, and learn the structure and design of mathematics.
The beauty in our surroundings and in our focus of study can inspire and uplift us, bringing peace and joy to our lives. When we contemplate the majesty of a sunset, the intricacy of a snowflake, or even the artful and creative way a story is written, we are reminded of God’s sovereignty and power, bringing hope and trust in God. A painting, its beauty holding our gaze, or a building, its elegance drawing us inside, helps us see glimpses of God’s creativity and design. In my younger years, I worked on cruise ships and traveled extensively. When off the ship, I used to rent a scooter and drive around the island of Bermuda, the most beautiful place on the planet! As I drove up a hill and around a bend, my breath was taken away at the vast scene before me. The ocean, with various colors of blue as a result of the coral reefs underwater, hit a pink-sand shoreline, lined by lush trees, bushes, and rocky cliffs, my heart jumped in praise to the Creator of such a stunning landscape.
However, not all things in our world are beautiful. Poorly designed architecture or other forms of visual pollution can have a demoralizing effect on us. Despair, hopelessness, and emptiness creep into our minds and our moods. Think of a gray, uninspired building, quickly built for high-occupancy housing. Nothing about a building like that brings about awe. It’s ugly! In contrast, beautiful things can bring hope and encouragement, reminding us of the greatness of our God and the possibilities of what He can do in our lives.
In the Bible, the importance of beauty is especially seen in the design and construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple in the Old Testament. These structures were created to be beautiful and to reflect the glory of God. They served as a visual reminder of God’s presence and His holiness, inspiring the people to worship and praise Him. Imagine the splendor of the new heaven and new earth when they are revealed! Do you think we will see colors never seen before when we are in heaven? What beauty will we bestow when we look upon Jesus Himself?
As believers, we have a responsibility to cultivate and appreciate beauty in all its forms. By doing so, we honor God and reflect His character to those around us. Let us seek to surround ourselves with beauty, whether in the form of nature, art, or people, and let us be inspired by its transformative power. Through our appreciation and study of beauty, we can bring glory to God and experience His magnificence in a way that will be far surpassed when we are in heaven and without the taint of sin!
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