He Is Beautiful

COMMENTS

Normally, I do something quiet and calm before I go to bed; but last night, I had a Christmas project that I wanted to finish.  You guessed it—when I got in bed, my mind was spinning; and I couldn’t go to sleep.  After several minutes, I realized what was happening and decided to focus on my God to settle my wandering mind.  My first words to Him were, “You are beautiful….”

NOTES

I’m not typically one who pauses to give thought to common words.  I pretty much take things for granted.  When someone asks me the meaning of a word, I often have a general concept but have difficulty giving a definition.  Lately, however, God seems to be hitting my “pause” button when it comes to some of those everyday words. 

That’s what happened last night as soon as I thought, “You are beautiful.”  What do I mean when I say “beautiful”?  When I think of God, I don’t think of a gorgeous hunk of man.  I can’t even say that I think of God as having a handsome face.  So, what do I mean when I state that He is beautiful?  I need to figure that out.  It’s important for me to know what I'm saying.

Let’s backtrack for a moment.  Have you ever seen a woman who was stunningly beautiful or a man who was breathtakingly handsome?  Those statements typically refer to the outward appearance.  What if this beautiful woman or handsome man is selfish, bad-tempered, and mean.  After you realize what they’re like on the inside, somehow the outside isn’t as lovely.  Conversely, a homely man or woman who is unselfish, kind, and giving becomes attractive.

All of these thoughts went through my mind as I considered the meaning of “beautiful”, and I realized that—even though I have no idea what God “looks” like—He is beautiful because of who He is on the inside.  Faithful, perfect, holy, righteous, good, merciful, forgiving, loving, just, friend to the friendless, father to the fatherless, wise, generous…  I can never find enough words to describe Him.  He is beautiful!

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you

--Mark Altrogge ©1987