On Beauty
There are times when I'm out riding my bike, whether running errands or on a tour, when all I see is the 18" in front of my tire. I look down and trudge along. I'm making progress, but it sure feels like a chore. Other times, when I remember to look up, I almost always see majesty.
Early morning alpenglo on the 3 Sisters
Mist coming off the river and catching geese rise
The blast of lilac from someone’s yard
Green grass after months of brown
Our granddaughter's laughter as she chases me on her bike
Dorothy Day may not be a name too familiar to you, but as she labored in the dark corners of society, she never missed the chance to catch the beauty that surrounded her. She is quoted as saying,
With so much beauty in the world, how could there not be a God.
Day is a complex character that some reject out of hand. She was a wild young woman in the 1920s, and very liberal in her social and political beliefs, and then encountered Jesus. She spent most of her adult life as a Catholic social worker who many characterized as possibly being a communist and certainly a troublemaker. Day was most at home in places where beauty hides and the rough sides of life come to the front. But she never quit looking for God and his beauty in the cracks.
Theologians call seeing God in every part of creation "General Revelation." The world in all its beauty declares the glory of God without words. Sights and sounds of creation speak of a God who is so pleased with this world and with beauty that he just goes over the top in application. I had one prof who said the Hebrew words for the creation of beauty can be translated “fingerplay.” God’s doodles astound us. The greats we can name, whether the Alps or Sahara or endless oceans are the flick of his hand.
Psalm 19 spells this out and Eugene Peterson does it justice in the Message.
God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence fills the earth; unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
Look up! Intend today to see the beauty before you with repeat performances all day long. The rainbow teaches of God’s love. The robins remind that we will be cared for. And the sounds of rushing water shout of the living water that will truly quench the deepest thirst.
Look around! Class is in session and the Teacher has good news to share, big and small. The stars that dwarf us tell of a Creator great enough to throw them into their places. And ants! Ants instruct whoever will see that any large task can be done and done well, especially as we work together, no matter your size.
Look inside! Your body is a masterpiece of design on display. Intricate and delicate at the same time robust and resilient. Every part of you, even as we age and slow a step, speak of a God who does details well. And bodies teach how much we need each other, just like the various parts we constantly use in harmony.
Talk to yourself! Guide your mind toward beauty and wonder and all that is the best in the world, instead of drifting toward drudgery. Swim out of negative undertows of thought and back into the God-current carrying your forward. Agree with Paul when he wrote to the believers at Philippi , saying,
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
So, I stand with Dorothy Day and agree that “With so much beauty in the world, how could there not be a God.”
Take several moments today to look up and look around and look inside. It is well worth your time and just might cast a new light on what had been just another day.
And Music for the Week...Beauty!
...and a couple of lame jokes...
The first day of summer camp, a counselor was helping his kids stow their stuff.
He was surprised to see one of the youngsters had an umbrella.
The counselor asked, "Tell me Bobby, why did you bring an umbrella to camp?"
The kid answered, "Did you ever have a mother?
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CHURCH BULLETIN BLOOPERS
~ At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
~ Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
~ The senior choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
~ Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
~ The Lutheran men's group will meet at 6 pm. Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread, and dessert will be served for a nominal feel.
~ For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
~ During the absence of our Pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
~ Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.
~ The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.
~ This afternoon there will be a meeting in the north and south ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
~ Tuesday at 4:00 pm there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
~ Wednesday the Ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing "Put Me in My Little Bed" accompanied by the pastor.
~ This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.
~ Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 pm.--prayer and medication to follow.
~ The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Belzer; the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
~ Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
~ The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
~ Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to the church secretary.