Beauty is a powerful force – providing an undeniable witness of transcended goodness. And part of its power is that it’s not under our direct control and bypasses our intellectual defenses. As such, even when our hands fail or our minds are darkened, beauty still has the power to enlighten, elevate, and heal the soul. It serves as an antidote in a world full of pain and suffering, brokenness and despair.
To be sure, we don’t have to look far to see many things not as they should be. And it’s easy to grow cynical and believe the lie that this is just as good as it gets; everyone is looking out for their own interest and suspicious of others. And we justify our vices and sin because this is just the world we live in.
But then Beauty enters – captivating our attention and reminding us that something greater exists. This is the awe we experience when standing at the Grand Canyon, for instance, gazing up at the night sky, or when the embodied beauty of another catches our eye. Whatever the source, Beauty stops us in our tracks and invites us to contemplate its wonder.
But its power is also why it’s feared. We’re left initially exposed, undone, and small in the presence of such stunning creation. And this can be too overwhelming for some to bear. Likewise, its transcendence demands transformation. We’re inspired to greatness, but this also means change, which is inherently disruptive. Many then choose to surround themselves with blandness or mere functionality rather than to risk being called into something more.
All the same, when we allow Beauty to minister to us, it becomes our rescue – lighting our path back to God’s reality. It reminds us of God’s unchanging truth and goodness when it’s so easy to be deceived by the lies of this world. And in this way, Beauty is a necessary luxury for our lives.
In the end, find Beauty and let it penetrate your soul. It’s a powerful antidote in these dark days.
