The inspired poet, David, did… “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4, NIV) God created both men and women in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:27), and yet men and women are very different from each other, reflecting different qualities of our Creator. One of the most remarkable of those differences is the stunning beauty of a woman.
Where does her beauty come from? Yes, I know “created in his image (Genesis 1:27)” does not mean physically, since God is Spirit (John 4:24) – but we’re also spiritual creatures – adorned with corresponding physical bodies. And we all know that a woman’s beauty is far more than meets the eye – it’s her grace, her charm, the way she moves, the way she moves us – it’s her womanliness that enchants us. So, where does that enchantment come from? It comes from her Creator, the One from whom all beauty comes. Simply put, a woman is beautiful because she reflects the beauty of God himself. This is why we all long to behold beauty and to be beautiful – because we were made to behold and reflect the beauty of God himself. Augustine wrote, “…what touches the heart of a man more than anything else is beauty.” (“Confessions”, 397) So, how beautiful is God?... I know that sounds like a strange question… but remember that the artist is revealed through their work (Romans 1:20, “God’s invisible qualities…have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…”) So, one way we glimpse God’s transcendent beauty is through the work of his hands. Let’s marvel together at God’s beauty as we try to imagine the artist behind his work… What creative artist painted the blue-green water of Maui, the earth tones of the Redwood Forest, and the multi-colors of a rainbow? What thunderous personality made the Amazon River, Victoria, and Niagara Falls? What majestic nobility made the Rocky Mountains, the Alps, and the Himalayas? What intelligence and power made “The Whirlpool Galaxy” – 31 million light years away from earth and containing 300 billion stars! What wildness of heart made the African Serengeti – with lions, leopards and cheetahs? What free spirit made wind, waves, and the animals that ride them? What passionate heart came up with the idea of music, rhythm, and dance? What romantic heart made a kiss so delicious, and lovemaking so enjoyable? What is the stunning form of the One who shaped the form of a woman? What is the look on the face of him who is love incarnate? One day, we will see him – face to face. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) God wants us to want him. And part of that is being drawn to his beauty. “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4, NIV)