The Bible describes mankind and the earth as fallen. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned against God, everything has become corrupted by sin. Our hearts, our bodies, and even creation has been tainted.
‘Creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now (Romans 8:21-22)
Just as we groan to be released from these sinful bodies to receive a sinless glorified body, the earth also longs to be redeemed. One day God will recreate the earth. He will miraculously combine heaven and earth into one glorious place called the New Jerusalem. It will be a perfect, wonderful place where all believers in Christ will live together for all eternity in eternal joy (Revelation 21:1-4). What a great and wonderful hope we have in Christ! In the meantime, God in His grace and mercy continues to shine and reveal Himself to us even in a sinful, corrupted world. This is such great evidence of His ‘common’ amazing grace to all mankind. Even in a world that is tarnished by sin, we can see the glory of God in His creation.
One of the things I really love to do for my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is to go on long walks. There is a beautiful park near my home that runs along a canal where I walk several miles per week. During my walks, I experience so much of God’s beauty. I love hearing the sounds of many different kinds of birds. I love looking at different kinds of cloud formations, and when the sky is cloudless and perfectly blue. I see eagles, hawks, and blue herons nesting and flying along the canal. I also see turtles stretched out on logs sunbathing along the canal shore. I see people fishing, biking, and jogging; thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather. All of these manifestations of God’s creation not only bring me pleasure, they more importantly draw me to the creator; the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16).
Yes, there is still much beauty even in a fallen and sinful world. It’s unfortunate that many people don’t appreciate that beauty and even more unfortunate that they don’t attribute it to God almighty (many people prefer ‘mother nature’). We live in a culture today that not only doesn’t appreciate beauty but is also fixated on the things that are actually ‘ugly’. There is a preoccupation with death and darkness rather than beauty and light. Look at what fills many of our museums, movie theatres, Netflix series, popular music, and books. Many of the movies that are lauded by critics are filled with profanity, murder, rape, perversion, and death. I am amazed at how many people are enthralled by programs like ‘Criminal Minds’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ (including professing Christians). Have we forgotten the exhortation of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8, ‘Finally brethren, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.’ Can any of these beautiful virtues be found in most of today’s popular entertainment? If not, why do we fill our hearts and minds with a steady diet of such things?
The beautiful things in this world are a God given reminder that there is much more to this life than the material world. Beauty points us to the beautiful creator of all things. When we see a beautiful sunset, hear a beautiful song, or watch a movie that inspires character within our heart, it seems to point us to something greater than ourselves. When we view a snowcapped mountain or eat an exquisite meal, don’t we want to instinctively thank ‘someone’ for it. God built beauty into our world as a testimony of ‘His beauty’. Beauty was created to draw us to God and to experience Him. Art, nature, science, and all creation should point us to nobler ambitions, an eternal mindset, and ultimately point us to Jesus. What are you meditating upon in your thought life these days? Let’s stop wasting our time being focused on the death and darkness in this world and get our eyes fixed on the beauty that God has provided for all of us.
‘The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork’ (Psalm 19:1).
