Very often, we marvel at mother earth’s natural beauty, whether it be her spectacular waterfalls or astounding landscapes. I could not but be in awe of the breathtaking sights at Sydney’s Blue Mountains. You just could not help but slowly take in the awesome beauty of God’s marvelous works.
Yet what didn’t quite catch my attention was the irregular and messy streams of water flowing down jagged rocks of varied shapes; the uneven lines and imperfect shapes formed by the rocks and ridges; the untidy splotches of color that do not stay neatly within the lines. How is it then that despite the imperfections and ‘messiness’ of Mother Nature, we are still able to take in its natural beauty and wonder? Put in another way, if views of Mother Nature came in perfect lines and systematic shapes, would its ‘beauty’ not look more artificial than natural?
How is it then that when I look at myself or others, I take more notice of humanity’s ‘jagged lines’ and ‘imperfect shapes’, our messy ‘flaws’ and ‘uneven’ personalities? How is it that I tend to pick out or take more notice of man’s faults or flaws, man’s complexities and irregularities? How is it that I am unable to stand back for a bit, view ourselves and one another in totality, and marvel at the natural beauty and wonder which even our ‘imperfections’ can bring out of us?
I believe we need to stop looking for perfect lines and shapes in ourselves and others. I believe we need to stop placing unrealistic and unnecessary demands and expectations on ourselves and others. I believe we need to learn to see ourselves and others the way God our Creator sees all of His creation, with great awe and wonder at the natural beauty He created in us, which can stand out even through the imperfections of our lives.
”I praise You, because I am wonderfully made;
wonderful are Your works!” (Ps 139:14)
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