For Glory and Beauty

*This article was written for and first appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Calla Press Magazine. You can find the issue here: https://issuu.com/samanthacabrerastudio/docs/final_march_second_1_

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Seated in the wooden pew on Sunday morning, I glanced about our small, simple sanctuary.  While there’s nothing particularly captivating about its appearance, I’ve come to love the wooden beams and the tall pointed rooftop.  I looked upon the solitary piano and the simply constructed pulpit.  The simplicity of the room seemed to only enhance the focus of God’s glory.  And yet, I smiled when my eyes fell on the communion table, always adorned with a seasonal bouquet of flowers.  

As the pastor concluded his sermon, it occurred to me that the presence of the flowers had nothing to do with the effectiveness of the message.  Had they been absent the truths communicated in the sermon would have been exactly the same.  But with them, there existed a beauty that otherwise would not have been.  

This thought reminded me of Exodus 28 when Moses received the instructions from God concerning the priestly garments of the Tabernacle.  He was given so many details regarding the materials, jewels, and construction of these clothing items!  However, my favorite part of the elaborate description is the why of it all.  Verses 2 and 28 state that these holy garments were for glory and beauty.

I remember the first time I read that chapter of the Bible and being blown away by the thought that  our God is a lover of beauty- and that beauty serves a distinct purpose.  The longer I thought about it, I could only come to this conclusion: of course God loves beauty.  Not only did the Creator of the universe create a world that is defined by order and efficiency, but He created it full of beautiful scenery!  The sun not only sets, but it sets in a blaze of brilliant colors.   Jagged mountains, deep oceans, fields of wheat, starry skies…all proclaim the work of His hands.  Even so, it’s plausible He saved His most beautiful creation for last when He formed Eve from the rib of Adam.  

Because we are human beings made in the Image of God, we desire and are drawn to beauty.  While this is true of both men and women, women especially long not only to see beauty, but to be beauty.  Our hearts want to know, Am I beautiful?  To answer this question we often consult the nearest mirror, evaluating our beauty by the cut and color of our hair, the current smoothness of our complexion, and the way our clothes fit our bodies.  Please hear me clearly, I’m not saying that physical beauty is unimportant- on the contrary, I think God has gifted all women greatly in this area!  However, the mirror cannot unveil the fullness of beauty given to women, especially of those who are in Christ.      

Psalm 139:13-15 tells us that we have been fearfully and wonderfully made, formed in the secret place of our mother’s womb.  And while the essence of beauty was given to us as women at our conception, there is still a greater beauty that our Creator loves and desires for His daughters.  This is the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, a spirit which seeks to walk in the way of truth and righteousness (1 Peter 3:4).  Such a spirit is displayed in the woman of Proverbs 31 who clothes herself with strength and dignity and is not afraid of the days to come (v.25).  This is the spirit shaped only through abiding in Christ and his Word; the spirit that grows in sanctification, being daily conformed to the image of Christ.  This is true beauty and the kind of beauty that greatly pleases the Lord!  Truly, as we become more like Christ, our beauty increases all the more.  

When we speak a kind, encouraging word to a friend or stranger; when we unashamedly proclaim the goodness of God’s love and mercy; when we do yet another load of dishes and fold the never-ending pile of laundry with gratitude in our hearts; when we exercise patience with our kids and demonstrate humility with our spouse; when we trust in the Lord to give us all we need for the coming day: this is beauty on display.   

Perhaps even more remarkable, this beauty is not without purpose!  Just as a painting points to a painter, and a skyscraper to an architect, so all beauty points to a designer, to someone who has carefully and planfully molded and crafted his work.  I find this to be true while reading classic pieces of literature.  While I may love the story and characters, I cannot help but be even more amazed by the creativity and mind of the author!  In the same (and even greater) way, our Christ-like beauty serves to point others to Him so that in all things, He might receive glory and honor.     

Only a gracious and sovereign God creates women with beauty- as well as the desire for it- and then through Christ, increases it and gives it a great purpose.  Like the flowers on the communion table and the priestly garments, we are for glory and beauty.  But be encouraged, sister!  Our beauty far outweighs the beauty of flowers and robes, for we have within us that which makes us beautiful beyond compare- the spirit of Christ.  And in this, our great God is mightily glorified.