Following the Thread

Beauty has a magnetic affect. A gorgeous sunset, a powerful piece of music, great art—they draw us in. The longing in our souls for something higher, better, unlike ourselves, primes us to want more of it. But if I’m not careful, they can draw me into the thing itself instead of into its author, the Eternal God. The emotions and longings the roaring ocean evokes in me can lead me to become a lover of nature, rather than a lover of God. The inspiration that floods the soul after a good play or a great book or a lovely song can make me a lover of theater or literature or music—only. My temporal nature gets lazy and stops at the creation instead of following the golden thread back to its Source, the Master Creator, Singer, Writer, Composer. God is the source of all joy.

A friend and I were commenting on the media’s growing ability to control our emotions. Our conversation turned toward the widely acclaimed Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. The majestic, almost magical quality surrounding the character of Aragorn in Lord of the Rings attracts us. There is something right in the royalty this earthy man carries in his veins. Hollywood has done its job well to portray something utterly convincing and attractive to us.

But do we trace the thread? Do those majestic, triumphant feelings meet us again in our times with the Lord the next morning? Do we marvel that no beauty on earth is unsurpassed in heaven? Does our breath quicken as we consider that the magic and mystery of Tolkien’s characters are paper dolls compared to the blazing glory of our God? Did the slashing royal sword bearing the name Sting raise our adrenaline in the theater seat? Sting would crumble to pieces before the sword described in Revelation, wielded by the One called Faithful and True. He is the Rider of the white horse, whose eyes are a flame of fire and who is crowned with many crowns, the one who is followed by all the armies of heaven.

I’m always grateful for the reminders that Jesus is not an androgynous figure in a white gown surrounded by lambs. He’s not a good luck charm or a wise teacher or a distant deity. He is fearful and beautiful, holy and glorious. And amazingly, He has descended from his throne to purchase my hopeless soul, declaring me not only a subject, but a sister, an heir, a beloved.

The most powerful emotion, longing, joy, or inspiration, is a long-cast shadow from heaven, meant to point us to the Beautiful One.