Beauty

After watching an episode of our current series last night, I began turning over one of the characters. Shorty and I have discussed how much we enjoy the growth in this character over the course of the series. How it seems realistically gradual, and how even though his character is far from morally admirable, he is moving in the right direction as a result of his relationship with the lawman in the show. He was a conman and thief. Before being caught and imprisoned, he had stolen and forged a significant number of famous artistic works. But the thing that impressed me last night is that he really APPRECIATES the art. Many of the people in his circle of thieves are simply concerned with the dollar amount that is attached to a piece. And while that is not insignificant to our character, it is not his only interest. Over and over in the series, he is portrayed as recognizing and admiring beauty. (Though not always in healthy ways...)

For the last two weeks, I've been collaborating with our church worship leader on writing a new song for our congregation. (I'll share the lyrics when I'm sure they're baked to perfection. =)) But between the writing of that song, and the singing of another Grace Bible Church original, I've had beauty on the brain. And I realized, as these two songs and the TV character swirled through my thoughts, that I am often blinded to what is truly beautiful. You see, in American culture beauty is presented as shiny, glamorous, (often photo-shopped) prettiness. But true beauty, that reflects the truth and beauty of the one true God, is most accurately displayed in sacrifice. And sacrifice is NEVER pretty. And always painful. But God teaches us that it is BEAUTIFUL.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:3-5
 
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:10-11
 
Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Psalms 96:1-13