Beauty

Last night I got home to find a dark house and a lack of power.  It shouldn't have surprised me, because when I left in the afternoon the power lines across the street were spewing sparks at the top of a pole...yikes.  Not having power isn't the end of the world - just the end of hot water, internet access, coffee makers, and some of those little "conveniences" that we all get used to.

Anyway, I walked in the house last night and Edwin, who guards and takes care of our compound, had set up little candles in strategic places to provide some light for Duncan and I.  I stopped for a few minutes in the living room, struck first by the amount of light that came from one small candle in the midst of a completely dark room (I could stop here and break into a reflective post about being a light in the world, but we've probably all heard that one before), and second by the beauty that these tiny lights brought to an ordinary environment.  Compared with the ordinary light bulbs I'm used to, these little flickering candles seemed to transform their surroundings with a silent, understated beauty.

Something that's has been a trend in several conversations lately for me is optimism.  Now, I know that it's possible - and obnoxious - to be overly optimistic.  I've been guilty of that before.  In most cases, though, I think that optimism is a good thing, because it draws our minds toward things that are "true...noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable...excellent...or praiseworthy," and brings us to "think about such things" (Philippians 4:8).  Part of this is recognizing beauty, and seeing things that are beautiful as a reflection of God and His love for us.  John Eldridge talks in The Way of the Wild Heart about the transition that occurs in a man as he matures and comes to appreciate beauty, and through it, the Creator of beauty.  For me, the initial recognition of beauty came through BIG things...the snow covered Swiss Alps, or the golden light on the African savanna.  Over time, though, I think I'm coming to acknowledge beauty in the small things, the daily things.  Things like the moon behind clouds at night, the blue sky, green grass, and brown dirt that surrounds me.  Things like the light from a single candle in a dark room...

Where can you find beauty today?  Last night in our small group we talked about the signs that God uses to remind each one of us that He is here.  What is it that shows you God is present, that reveals the work of our Creator?  Choosing and learning to see beauty in the small things can be a great source of joy, and even the most optimistic people can always use a little more joy!