Beautify
Part 2 of Personify Faith
Introduction
As humans, our first recorded directions given by God in Genesis 1:28 were: “’Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.’” We were designed to create new life, new places to live, and new ways to sustain ourselves. God put all the resources at our disposal to create things, so that at the end of the day, God could see and say that “it was very good.” We, too, could step back and delight in the beauty we had created as agents of God on this earth.
It is important that our first biblical encounter with God is as creator. Terence Fretheim explains, “Genesis does not present the creation as a finished product, wrapped up with a big red bow and handed over the creatures to keep it exactly as originally created…From God’s perspective, the world needs work; development and change are what God intends for it, and God enlists human beings (and other creatures) to that end.” As God’s creation, made in God’s image, it flows that part of our connectedness to God comes by creating things of beauty or purpose on our own. God wants to share with us in the endeavor of creation. Beauty creates hope which is a cornerstone of our faith formation.
Creativity can be a messy process, though. Anyone with preschoolers, glue, and a craft project involving glitter knows this to be true. The process can start and stop and restart again. Sometimes things flow rapidly and directly to the desired end, while other times you get stuck in the backwater slowly moving in the wrong direction. Eugene Peterson said, “Mess is the pre-condition of creativity.” Just think of the messy process of creating humanity--God scooping up earth, dirt, and shaping it in his hands. Later, God takes a portion of this man (‘adam) and creates the woman from his side. What a mess that must have made! The result, though, was something beautiful that honored and glorified God.
Author James Bryan Smith believes that we have lost the notion that a love for beauty can help us feel the love of God. He writes, “Beauty is meant to lead us to God. Beauty is meant to move us to doxology. Beauty is never the ultimate. It is designed to be penultimate, to lead us to something beyond itself.” As we beautify for God, we are leading others to see the image of God. It is an act of hospitality, a welcoming. This week we will seek to be faithful stewards of our talents and gifts as week seek to beautify this world in meaningful ways. It will be the process of beautifying that will draw us closer to God in gratitude, understanding, and joy.
“In all ranks of life, the human heart yearns for the beautiful; and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike.”
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
Day of Preparation
Opening Prayer
Dear God,
Help us today to understand our role as your agents of creation and beautification in this world. Let us see the places that we can add beauty as a reminder of your goodness. Guide us in reflecting on how we can best utilize our own gifts and talents to shine your light to the world. Amen.
Scriptural Teachings
As discussed above, we were directed to enhance to the good world that God has made. Terence Fretheim explains: “God gives to creation the continuing capacity not only to be itself, to be what it was created to be, but also to develop into something more.” One of our first tasks as humans was to name all the animals. One of my favorite scenes from the musical, Children of Eden, is where Adam is trying to come up with what to call each new creature he encounters. Can you imagine the creativity of that process? Our call to be co-creators with God goes beyond the creation account, however.
In Exodus, after years of roaming through the wilderness, God, through Moses, gives the people a new set of commands to build a tabernacle, or place to commune with God. Each person brought offerings of things they had created to beautify the place—metal workers and weavers and carvers and dexters and sewists. Moses acknowledges that all these workers were endowed by God to create beauty: “He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers (Exodus 35:35).” Why was this level of beauty needed? It helped in acknowledging the place as holy--set apart for the presence of God. Beauty creates sacred space. This attention to detail extends through several chapters at the end of Exodus, which includes an exhaustive list of every detail put into each curtain and lampstand. Why such detail on a decorating project? The Exodus story reinforces that we can use our skills to honor God in a myriad of ways. Later, 1 Kings 6-8 describes all the work and detail that went into building the temple by King Solomon. It was another sacred place crafted and designed to awe and humble the people of all nations. Where has beauty created sacred space for you?
Craftspeople are not the only ones who are honored in the Bible for using their gifts to create beauty. The book of Psalms is a prime example of the artistic talents of writers and singers who help us communicate with God better. Proverbs contains the collected thoughts of wise teachers. God even instructed the Israelites through Jeremiah to build and cultivate the earth in Babylon during the exile in Jeremiah 29. They were to continuing being creators even when exiled. Jeremiah instructs them to “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce” (verse 5). The creative process continued throughout the Old Testament as the returning exiles had to build back all that had been lost during the foreign invasions. We can see how God utilizes the Israelites as creative partners in the world.
After the birth of Jesus, we learn more about creation and our partnership with God in it. Paul writes in Colossians 1: 15-17 that, “the Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Paul explains that Jesus is the creative life force that flows through all things. Thus, one way to draw closer to Christ is through participation in creation. We can become a conduit through which the light of Christ can flow out into the world through a variety of mediums. As we do so, we give people more beauty in which to see the love of God expressed tangibly. We can help people do as Paul suggests to the Philippians: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (4:8). How does God continue to use us as a creative force for good in the world today?
Wisdom from the Past
Usually I have felt most connected to God within nature’s majesty. It was not until I had the opportunity to visit some of the great cathedrals of Europe that I was awe-inspired by human creation. From the sheer vastness of St. Peter’s in Rome, to the way the setting sunlight causes the mosaics to shimmer and glow in St. Mark’s in Venice, to the intricate paintings in the Sistine Chapel, to the massive dome of St. Paul’s in London, houses of worship have often been a place where the creative spirit of Jesus has manifest itself in the work of craftsmen and laborers. The sheer amount of detail in these sanctuaries is overwhelming—as is the amount of time that was put into these sacred spaces. Generation after generation within a family might work on only one building that they would never see completed, putting their faith and trust in the next generation to continue where they left off. In doing so, they gave a testament to their faith and a legacy for their descendants. Where or when have you been inspired by a manmade tribute to God? Have you been part of a work that has spanned generations?
Many of these grand cathedrals included equally inspired artwork, such as the detailed paintings and sculptures of Michelangelo. As he grew older, some encouraged him to rest, however, he knew his divine call: “Many believe—and I believe—that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.” His love for God propelled him forward; as a result, generations have been inspired by his works.
Throughout the history of the Christian church, visual artists and craftsmen are not the only ones that have been inspired by God. Musicians have written some of the world’s most beautiful pieces to honor God. When my husband was a small boy his favorite song was Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” He might not have understood all the words, but he was overcome by the power of the music even at a young age. Beethoven wrote of his work Missa Solemnis that his “chief aim was to awaken and permanently instill religious feelings not only into the singers but also into the listeners.” His famous Ninth Symphony was inspired by a powerful poem written in 1785 by Friedrich Schiller called “Ode to Joy.” Later, Beethoven’s music inspired Henry van Dyke to pen the lyrics to a new hymn called “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” which is sung around the world today. It is a beautiful example of how collective creativity can lead to powerful worship of God. Take a minute to enjoy this inspiring recording of it:
“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMY3ivdNzwE
Through God’s creative spirit, Schiller inspired Beethoven, who in turn inspired van Dyke, who inspired choirs to share their gifts in making a beautiful offering to God. Beauty can inspire others to create more beauty for the glory of God.
Closing Blessing
At the beginning of time and space,
God gave us a world.
And God filled it with the useful—
with granite, with gravity, with grapes.
And God gave us minds and hands
to engineer the granite,
to probe the forces of gravity,
to squeeze the grapes.
At the beginning of time and space,
God gave us a world.
And God filled it with the beautiful—
with marble, with molds, with marigolds.
And God gave us compassion and imagination
to shape the marble into sculptures,
the molds into medicines,
the marigolds into tapestries of yellow and bronze.
At the beginning of time and space,
God gave us a world.
And God filled it with the comic—
with croaking bullfrogs, with the buoyancy of water,
with duck-billed platypuses.
And God gave us, as imagebearers of God,
a sense of humor and different ways of seeing
in order to delight in the world.
At the beginning of time and space,
God gave us a world.
And God filled it with mystery—
with living cells and dying stars,
with black holes and the speed of light,
with human beings.
And God gave us dominion over the earth,
to till it and to nurture it with curiosity and creativity.
At the beginning of time and space,
God gave us a world.
Let us give praise and thanksgiving to God, our Creator.
Day of Action
Opening Prayer
Dear God,
Be with us today as we create a sacred place to encounter you in this world. Let us see our creation as a sanctuary—a place set apart to experience your holiness. Allow us to be good stewards of our gifts and talents as we shine your light into the world. Amen.
Scriptural Reflection
Begin today by examining the following scripture verses that address utilizing our gifts to create beauty in the world. Jot down a central thought of each passage.
Romans 12:6-8
Ephesians 2:10
Colossians 3:23-24
1 Timothy 4:14
How are you gifted? What activities give you joy? Is there a way you can join your giftedness with the areas that bring you joy to beautify the world? How do your gifts fit into the larger community of faith?
Call to Action
“The Four Holy Gospels” by Makoto Fujimara
Makoto Fujimara, founder of the International Arts Movement, explains the importance of the arts in sharing the Gospel: “The arts are a cup that will carry the water of life to the thirsty. It’s not the water itself; it’s the vessel. What we are doing in the church today is we are just picking up water with our bare hands and trying to carry it to the thirsty. We can still do it, but the effect is minimized by not fully utilizing what God has given us.” The arts can allow us to reach audiences we might not normally be able to. All kinds of arts can resonate with people in a deep and personal way—exposing them to the life-giving love of God. Can you think of a time when you connected to God through your own artistry or someone else’s? How does art make an infinite God feel more tangible to us?
When we beautify our surroundings, the essence of what we are doing is creating a sacred space to encounter God. Some of us have artistic talents that we can tap into to play music, draw, sing, paint, photograph, or sculpt. Some are gifted in designing, organizing, and decorating welcoming spaces of hospitality. Others may beautify through care of plants in a garden, home, or yard. Some may seek elegant solutions to engineering problems, creative ways to teach, or how to streamline processes at work. Chefs may prepare a sumptuous meal to be shared in fellowship with friends and family. Just as a bee, by simply doing its work collecting nectar, beautifies the world by pollenating flowers, so too, do we beautify the world by living into who God created us to be. What can you do today to take part in God’s creative process? See a list below for some inspiration if needed.
Photograph nature or your family
Play, sing or listen to music
Color, draw, sculpt, paint
Cook a meal or bake goodies for a friend
Tend to your yard
Participate in nature combing
Pot plants
Put fresh flowers it the home
Repair a broken object
Organize or decorate a space of welcome
Clean up trash from a public place
Sew or weave
One final note on this process. Remember, as we discussed earlier, creation is a messy process sometimes. You may not be immediately inspired as to what you should do. Your initial efforts may fall flat and feel like nothing more than weak attempts. You may feel only frustration and not faith formation. Hear these words of Rachel Held Evans from her book entitled Inspired: “Inspiration is better than magic, for as any artist will tell you, true inspiration comes not to the lucky or the charmed but to the faithful—to the writer who shows up at her keyboard each morning, even when she’s far too tired, to the guitarist whose fingers bleed after hours of practice, to the dancer who must first learn the traditional steps before she can freestyle with integrity. Inspiration is not about some disembodied ethereal voice dictating words or notes to a catatonic host. It’s a collaborative process, a holy give-and-take, a partnership between Creator and creator.” Enjoy some time creating with your Creator this week.
Closing Blessing
O God, our heavenly Father,
we thank you for the wonderful way our bodies are made.
We praise you for each breath we take;
for the gift of sight and the power to read;
for the minds that can observe and store up what they see.
We thank you for hands that are skillful in doing work,
and for all the creative arts within us.
Above all, we praise you that our bodies are the temples of your own Spirit
and that we are made in your image.
Father, we give you praise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day of Reflection
Opening Prayer
Dear God,
We know you have given us many good gifts. You have also given us communities to be able to appreciate one another’s giftedness. Bless our communities as we learn to share our talents with each other, so that we can have fuller, more meaningful encounters with you. Amen.
Reflection
Begin today by writing about your action experience this week. How do you feel this activity helped you beautify some aspect of your life? How can you create sacred spaces for God? How can you connect others to encounters with God through your own artistry (given the broad definition we have used)?
Modern Perspectives
Upon silent mountain tops or alongside roaring oceans. Holding the hand of an elderly relative as they pass on or chubby baby fingers curved around our own. Triumphal choirs backed by orchestras or overhearing a child singing “Jesus Loves Me.” Sometimes in our world, we encounter what the Celtic Christians call “thin places.” Barbara Brown Taylor describes these as “places where the veil between this world and the next is so sheer that it is easy to step through…How it all works is a complete mystery, but there is no denying the effect.” Beautiful elements of our natural world and our creative world can help to make these thin places to commune with God. We must be willing to live intentionally enough to recognize these places, though. We must recognize the presence of God in the world. Where have you experienced a “thin place”? How did being in that place make you feel?
Nathan Foster says, “I think God likes humor, music, creativity, working puzzles, and building beautiful things out of messes. I feel his pleasure in teaching me about his creation both in people and nature. He points out the details, rhythms, and beauty. I’m reminded of the lyrics from an old hymn: ‘He walks with me and he talks with me.’ I feel he is ever happy to teach and show me the world.’” As God is our guide, we can then learn to lead others in noticing the enchanting wonder of the world. Can you see the beauty in the mess? If so, can you teach others to do the same? Who could train you to see life this way if you do not?
As we join our talents together, it takes a certain communal giftedness not to discount or diminish one type of gift. Things can get tense if competition becomes involved. To learn how to handle the coming together of the creative talents of all in a community, we can look to jazz music. Jazz musician Melvin Butler describes how God is the master improviser: “There is a tension between structure—having a plan, an order, a divine will—on the one hand but then also allowing for human agency, free will, creativity, spontaneity, where things don’t go according to plan, where anything can happen at any given moment…We all have our individual voices—we have things to say, things we’re working out—but we find ways to interact together in peace and in fellowship.” In this way, jazz music is emblematic of the creative process in the world. Each of us has our instrument, contributing where we can, listening and responding to others, playing our part, not drowning out everyone else, and flowing together. When we achieve this balance, the result is even more beautiful than what one of us could create alone. When have you been part of a creative collaborative project? How did you handle as a group the messiness of multiple ideas and contributors? What was the result? How might this have been an exercise in faith formation?
“Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.”
Closing Blessing
For the Beauty of the Earth
by Folliot S. Pierpont
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
Sources
The Making of an Ordinary Saint by Nathan Foster
Creation Untamed by Terence E. Fretheim
Inspired by Rachel Held Evans
The Magnificent Story: Uncovering a Gospel of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth by James
Bryan Smith
Home by Another Way by Barbara Brown Taylor
Closing Blessings from The Worship Sourcebook
Celebrating Grace (Baptist Hymnal)
https://faithandleadership.com/qa/melvin-butler-crossing-boundaries-music
https://faithandleadership.com/theology-and-arts
https://faithandleadership.com/makoto-fujimura-function-art
https://aleteia.org/2019/12/22/the-little-discussed-faith-of-beethoven/
https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/painting-with-jesus-tears-a-message-for-palm-sunday-from-mako-fujimura/