I love to travel. I think I inherited the travel bug from my grandmother, because my parents don’t have it. We didn’t travel much when I was a kid. Since college, though, I’ve taken every opportunity I can to travel and see the world. I’ve been to 12 countries so far and 14 states in the US. More than some, less than others. So much more to see!
One of my favorite parts of traveling is taking photos. I used to use an old film camera, then a digital camera, but now just my phone. I seek out the best scenery, prettiest architecture, and most unique sights. Traveling reminds me of how beautiful this world truly is. It takes me out of the mundane stress of day-to-day and allows me to just... breathe.
We could also use space for that right now, couldn't we? In these trying times, we need to find the beauty.
I am taking a class right now for my MDiv on Theological Responses to Suffering, Pain, and Evil. I was reading through a book for class that talked about how easy it is to focus on the suffering around us and to lose sight of the beauty. The author proposes that this happens because we are largely disconnected from the world.
In generations past, people were routinely dependent upon the land, the weather, and one another. Communities supported and took care of each other. In today’s world, an increasing number of people are living in busy cities, surrounded by concrete and choking on smog. We are so focused on our technology that we barely ever even look out the window. Fifty years ago, kids were outside playing until the streetlights came on. Now they - and their parents - are more likely to be found inside in front of a screen. Families are splintered and divided, sometimes living all the way across the country from each other. We don’t know our neighbors. We have lost our sense of community.
We are disconnected.
This disconnect has affected us gravely. Loneliness, rates of mental illness and suicide, and acts of violence are all on the rise. Neighbors have turned against neighbors for differing beliefs and politics. Churches have turned against other churches for differing theology. We drown in the depressing daily headlines and social media abyss. It is easy to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, and disheartened.
They say that finding beauty in the world is an act of resistance. It's not about ignoring the evil in the world or pretending everything is okay. It's an act of pushing back against the forces that want you down and out, that want you to give up. It's about pressing onward, fighting the good fight, and being faithful to the call. It's about choosing joy even in suffering, because we know the One who is the source of all joy.
We can find beauty in the reliability of the sun rising and setting with a splash of color, or in the bright stars and a silvery moon watching over us at night. We can find beauty in a blooming flower, the changing of the leaves, or the artistic lines and shapes of our rocks and mountains. We can find beauty in birds chirping, a ladybug crawling peacefully on a leaf, or the playful romp of a kitten.
We can find beauty in one another. In our differences, our similarities, and our quirks. In our smiles, our outstretched hands, our wrinkles and blemishes. We can find the beauty that is the image of God stamped on each person on this planet we call home. Every single person on this planet, regardless of any label we use to divide us, has God's imprint. Every single person is beautiful and infinitely loved by God.
We can find beauty in the simplicity of our breath, in and out. They say the name of God, Yahweh, is spoken like a breath, with Yah the breathing in and Weh the breathing out. Every breath we take should remind us of He who gives us our breath and sustains our life.
Within the beauty, we find the divine. We see the hand of our Creator. He who is above all things. He who, even in the midst of the darkness and the suffering, is worthy of all praise. He who has not forgotten us, even when we have forgotten Him. The Psalms tell us that the heavens declare the glory of God, and that nature itself testifies about Him. We are called to join with nature, to declare God's glory and to testify to His goodness.
Resist the darkness. Resist the negativity.
Find the beauty.
Be connected once again.
FOR MORE FROM ME...
- Subscribe to my blog through Substack: https://substack.com/@jadedevangelical.
- Pick up my book, "Letters to the Jaded Evangelical: Finding Jesus in the Shards of Religion."
- Follow me on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jadedevangelical.smreed
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