Becoming Beautiful

This week I have been reflecting on the process of becoming beautiful. Last weekend, I listened to the Pastor speak about God's love. I listened to him speak about God's pursuit of us. I listened to him speak about beauty. A little seed was planted in my heart that inspired me to believe in the way that God shapes me, the way that God molds me, the way that He loves me.

The soil that nurtures this seed is called mercy. It embraces the seed. It offers strength to the seed. It believes in the seed, even when life deals it a hard lot. Even when the seed is crushed by broken promises or failures. It gently knows that crushing the seed's shell will only bring more hope. Hope of redemption! Hope of new life! Hope of bursting forth!

The force that cracks the seed open is called suffering. Suffering wears on the protective shells that we wear. Suffering loosens the masks which we hold over our faces. Suffering reveals our true face. Suffering makes us long for Eden where we were naked and unashamed. Where we walked with God in the cool of the day.

But that Eden place is not here. Not now. This life has many sorrows. It has many challenges. Much disappointment. When our masks are worn down, we may look into the faces of striving, envy and pride. They will not deal gently with us. They will never be appeased. No, they will not be satisfied. If we see only those faces, we will becomes blind to the very face of mercy. The face who smiles at us with kind eyes and gives us the confidence to become beautiful.

Sometimes that face is easily seen. It appears constantly, like a mother tending to her newborn babe. It doesn't let her cry very long. Hold her close. Stays constantly near. But as the child grows and learns to walk, and then begins to venture out, this child will need to learn things like wisdom and trust. Things like faith and hope.

Many things remind us that we do not live in that Eden place. When we are held back in our callings because of the failures of those we rely on, then it can be easier to listen to the faces of bitterness and pride. When we are crushed by those we long to be close to, the voices of fear and striving ring more loudly than gentle mercy.

But when it happens, when we are crushed yet we still have joy, we have found the face of mercy once again. As we gaze into the eyes of mercy, we discover that it is only the outer shell which was crushed. The inner seed is preserved in a protective place called God's love. This is beauty.

When we trust in His love.

When we hope in His promises.

When we know the face of mercy.

Mercy has not only a face, but also strong arms and a steadfast love. Mercy is Jesus Christ.

The giver.

The redeemer.

The lover.

"Arise my darling, my beautiful one. Come with me" (Song of Songs 2.)

You will find courage and strength.

Delight and joy.

Mercy and beauty.