Something Beautiful

This summer most things were shut down and after finishing my first year in college, I wanted to do something adventurous and spontaneous so my best friend Jack and I took a road trip to South Dakota. It was a blast and probably one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. It was our first summer as somewhat independent and we wanted to go explore.

We made the long drive in one day and left at the crack of dawn on our way to Badlands National Park. The drive was long and tiring but we were excited to see the new sights and mark something else off of our list of travelling the world. We arrived there and quickly set up camp in anticipation of beautiful sights and unexplored wildernesses. After a good night of rest and taking the sunset in, we went to bed early in preparation for the sunrise and a morning of hiking.

In the week that we were gone, we found our way through the Badlands, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore. All of these displayed beauty in many different ways but nonetheless unchallenged majesty. Along our trip we also met people all around the world, with different stories and backgrounds, unique destinations and a variety of journeys. Something that stood out to me was how similar this is to the body of the church. I know it seems a bit unparalleled but let me explain.

I think we can all agree that the universal body of the church consists of many different kinds of people, all from different places with different stories and histories, but the reason that a variety of people flock to the church is because of their fascination with beauty. It is something that has always captured our attention. Some of us are the type of people to stop and smell the roses, or pull the car over to see the sunset, or even take a picture of food that we are proud to have made. Humans have an extraordinary sense to find beauty in the smallest things and when we do, most of us stop and look at it.

The places we visited contained a physical beauty that attracted people all around the world to come and visit, purely because of the way it made people feel. The church is the same way. No matter who we are and where we come from, we come to see something beautiful, to feel something wonderful and perfect. We come to see glory. We come to feel love.

No matter how ugly this world can get, God can make beauty out of anything, because of His redemptive grace. If God can redeem a wretch like me and save me from my own vices, then He can make the ugliest thing into the most beautiful thing. This is why we come to Him, because a part of us knows our sinful nature and wants to be redeemed, to become who we were meant to be.

The glory of God proclaims beauty throughout the universe, we just have to stop in the rat race of our lives to listen. Although the journey through life becomes stressful and filled with anxiety, we must not rush through it and forget about the beauty in between. We are drawn to the majesty of God, do not disregard the fascination of your soul. God offers rest from the aching world in His loving arms, no matter who you are and where you are from, because He is Love and that is the most beautiful thing in the world.

What is something you find beautiful? In the world, in others, in yourself?

What is something that you find ugly that God can redeem?

What is something that you need God’s eyes to see beauty in?

This is my desire
Consume me like a fire, ’cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I’m in reach
‘Cause I am down on my knees, I’m waiting for something beautiful–NeedToBreathe