December 2, A World of Beauty

What God creates is good. We still see much of the beauty and goodness that God created in our world today, even though it is marred by sin.

What our Creator originally created was full of life and had no death, no decay, no grief, no sorrow. Genesis 1:31a (WEB) says, “God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.”

This is what Isaiah had to say about the beauty of the night sky:
“Lift up your eyes on high,
 and see who has created these,
 who brings out their hosts by number.
 He calls them all by name.
 by the greatness of his might,
 and because he is strong in power,
 not one is lacking.”
-Isaiah 40:26

Of the flowers of the field, Jesus said:
“Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Luke 12:27 (WEB)

And the psalmist said:
“I will give thanks to you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
My soul knows that very well.”
Psalm 139:14 (WEB)

God could have made this world monochrome and devoid of diverse smells, varieties of flavors, or rainbows of colors. The fact that we know what beauty is and that we were created with senses that crave pleasant sights and sounds and tastes speaks of a Creator full of goodness.

Psalm 34:8a (KJV)
“O taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Today, make an effort to look for the good and beautiful in your world. Use all your senses. What do you taste? What do you see? What do you hear? The Christmas season is a time when our society tends to pull out all the bells and whistles of creativity, decorating houses and yards, filling the airwaves with carols, and cooking up delicious meals and desserts. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this season.

And then make an effort yourself to create and promote something beautiful in your world. At the creation, one of the first jobs God gave humans was to care for His creation. Adam was given the task of taking care of the Garden of Eden, as well as naming the animals (Genesis 2). When we care for God’s creation and develop the talents and abilities He has given us to bring about good in this world, we are imitating our Creator and fulfilling part of His reason for making us in the first place.

It can be as simple as singing a cheerful tune, giving a smile instead of a scowl, sharing a laugh with a friend, or coloring a picture with a child. You have the ability to imbue your world with beauty. Imitate your Creator and make the world just a little bit brighter today!

These remaining remnants of beauty are there to remind us of how this world was originally created. They are to remind you of your Creator. And they are to give you hope of a future restoration of all things.