beauty

Sometimes beauty appears in a form known, classic, easy, expected.Sometimes beauty appears in a form unknown, stark, unexpected...even feeling harsh.Being surprised at responding to something as beautiful, reveals how shallow my perspective can become. The startle awakens eyes to see more clearly.The greatness and awe pull into a mystery... A deep knowledge of otherness. Something outside my realm and beyond my nature.On a side note, maybe this is one small reason why some in this region believe in aliens. The vastness, otherness, and startling reality of the landscape does beg your soul to something beyond.How often do I dismiss the rugged and desert places as being barren? Barren of life. Barren of any fruit. Barren of joy. Barren of beauty.Then while driving, a sunset glowing so intense and heavenly on the desert horizon. So full of glory we literally stopped the car, jumped out and ran...carefree, leaving all the doors open. (Yes, a joy of being in a rural area.) Ran to try to catch it. Get closer. Knowing we couldn't. But longing to revel in the presence. The presence of light shining in the desert. Beauty penetrating every particle of the desert with glory. Beckoning our hearts into the heart of He who shines light into the darkness (John 1:5). He who makes the desert places bloom bringing joy (Isaiah 35). He who makes our feet secure in the high, rocky places (Psalm 18:33).And then blinking back self-preservation and my faulty definitions, my soul awakens to the stunning reality. A reality that's been there continually...All of this is beautiful. What appeared too dry, too barren, too harsh... now radiates the glory of Christ. Displaying His beauty in a new way, adding richness and depth to my comprehension. Proving once again, He is greater. He defines. He names. He is other. He is beauty.And all He does is good. In realizing this, my heart rests a bit.