beauty is a pretty big deal

we are surrounded by beauty.

every day.

every moment.

all around us.

and many of us just take that for granted. or just figure it's "extra". it's not that big of a deal, it's just a nice little bonus we notice every once in a while to make us smile. (IF we even take the time to notice the beauty surrounding us... but that's a topic for another day.)

but i think the beauty surrounding us in creation is a BIG deal. every time i see the trees, the sky, the clouds, the grass, the ocean, the animals scurrying around, the creeks & lakes, etc... it causes me to worship.

even if it's only for a split second, i worship.

i worship the Artist who thought it all up & designed all this beauty.

when i go "wow, this is a beautiful day" or "that's a beautiful sunrise", i don't worship the sunrise itself... it points me to the Artist.

a guy named Paul kind of writes about this idea in his letter to the Romans.
in much more beautiful language than i've been able to express, he writes:

"From the beginning, creation in its magnificence ENLIGHTENS us to His nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible."          - Romans 1:20, The Voice

man, this is packed with way too much to even think about.

but let's try a little bit.

creation is no doubt MAGNIFICENT. the most magnificent art of all. and it's that very magnificence that enlightens us to God's nature.
it's the beauty of creation that turns our attention to God & who He is.

And creation actually SHOWS US (so to speak) God's power & divine identity. "Creation makes His identity clear." EVEN THOUGH they are invisible!

we can't "see" God. we can't see His power or divine identity -- directly.

but here's how it's indirectly VISIBLE = the ocean, the sunset, the birds, the beautiful trees & blue sky & clouds that form funny shapes, etc...
all those things show us God's power & identity... WHO He is.
even though they're invisible.

this is visible as it gets.
You're looking at it.
beauty.

don't overlook it. don't take it for granted. don't be too busy to notice and enjoy it.

beauty shows us God. it's one of the best "visible" pictures we get.

so, i'd say, it's a pretty big deal.