“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
The created order, even in its fallen state, is filled with reflections of God’s infinite goodness and wisdom, power and creativity. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen,” wrote the great apostle Paul, “being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that there are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). According to the popular pagan nature myth known as Evolution, all living things on this planet developed into their present forms through natural selection, otherwise known as the survival of the fittest. Superficially, the story may appear to have merit, especially when it is promoted as fact in virtually every science publication and in every public school and institution of higher learning. Nevertheless, on closer inspection it is clear that this story is hopeless as an explanation for almost anything in our human experience. Consider our experience of encountering and enjoying beauty. What possible selective advantage is there in our appreciating the beauty of a sunset, or in being filled with awe and wonder at the beauty of a starry sky on a clear night? What does it benefit man to recognize and enjoy the beauty displayed in the animal world, in the staggering array of creatures with unique body plans and colors? These things are beautiful because beauty and goodness reside in the heart of their Creator (Psalm 27:4; 50:2; 90:17). “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He has also made us in His own image and likeness, endowing us not only with the ability to recognize, enjoy, and appreciate beauty, but to create beautiful things for others to enjoy also. It seems the closer man is to God, the more conscious of God he is, the more he appreciates that which is beautiful. Decades or even centuries ago, man-made objects intended for even the most mundane purposes had an element of beauty to them. Buildings had sculpted ledges and window frames. Household appliances, garden tools, even weapons of war were painstakingly crafted to look beautiful. As man’s heart drifts from God, however, we see less and less appreciation for that which is genuinely beautiful. In fact, we see just the opposite; we see depraved people wantonly vandalizing and destroying beautiful things. May we be people who recognize and appreciate beauty in this world. Let us also, as we have opportunity, contribute to the beauty that is here, even as we celebrate the goodness and beauty of our God. May these things be so, for God’s glory and the good of those He loves.
God bless you,
Pastor John
English