beauty

My philosophy of beauty is a little unique. So often, inner and outer beauty are pitted against each other. Outer beauty is seen as vain, distracting, or frivolous at best.

The ‘problem’ from this standpoint, is that outer beauty still entrances us, shapes our actions and judgements more than we might like, and continues to draw us in even though we’re convinced that it doesn’t demonstrate something’s fundamental value.

Why is this?

Is it really just because we are fallen, debased, animalistic and materialistic fools, without a sufficient ‘eternal perspective’ in our everyday lives?

Or could it be because we have such an eternal perspective in our everyday lives – much more so than we realize?

Could it be that a longing for beauty is built into us – for an important reason?

So how can we express this, and make this hope real for ourselves and those around us in our day to day, while we wait for this incredible restoration, to keep us reminded of what we’re here for, and what we’re waiting for?

And how can we not become so lost in it that we cease to do the important work to reach the lost and ease suffering now?

Short and simple: we remember that beauty is a tool, not an idol. It’s a means to remind ourselves and others of the goodness of God, the victory of Christ, and the world to come. It’s not a god itself. And we are not gods if we achieve it in some area of our lives.

It’s a gift – to us, to then give to others. And it’s powerful – incredibly powerful. So it must be used to love, serve, and point back to God, not to manipulate, compete, or measure value.

Spread beauty. Restore the world’s hope in a God who is real, active, powerful, and loves us, in a victorious Christ and in the perfected kingdom coming for those who believe in Him.

I invite you to join me in this – when you see or create things in your world that are God-honoring, simple or extravagant beauty, tag it #vlxbeauty.

Let’s go use beauty to love the world.

xoxo,
Jackie