| Behold the Beauty of God's Creation - article by Joel Hempel Michael and Kelsey’s wedding was so stunning I found myself in tears taking in the miracle unfolding before us: God was creating something remarkably beautiful. Two children of God were being united with Christ for a future together with the promise of being, as Pastor Scott preached, a living witness as a “little church.” But, whoever coined the phrase, “beauty is only skin deep,” was wrong. Yes, Michael and Kelsey are a good-looking couple. Yes, the church was decorated beautifully. But beauty is so much more than what meets the eye. On Sunday following the Saturday wedding, we sang the hymn, Beautiful Savior. What is beautiful about our Savior is not his face. For we know from Isaiah that the Messiah – Jesus – would have “no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). Jesus was not the handsome hunk depicted in the series Chosen. What was and is beautiful about Jesus is the depth of his love for us. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, how rich or poor you may be, or whether you are a specimen of health or struggling to make it. Jesus is in love with you and has given his all for you. Our culture wants to fool us about beauty. Arriving in my email inbox today is an ad from Macy’s. They want me to “be in the know on all things beauty.” They are offering “over 100 beauty services and experiences.” They are even inviting me to complete a questionnaire to determine my “biggest haircare battle?” Hmm!
The real challenge to looking and feeling beautiful is not what one sees in the mirror or buying what Macy is selling about “all things beauty.” It’s what you know is true about who God sees when he looks at you. Do you want to know how good you look? Turn away from the mirror and turn toward the ONE who looks at you as a loving parent looks at her child. Look with the eyes of your Creator, the heart of your Redeemer, and the Love of the Spirit: You are loved and cherished, forgiven, and equipped for life. Don’t believe me? Will you believe God’s Word? You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14 I [God] have redeemed you and called you by name. You are mine. Isaiah 43:1 Those who look to [God] are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Psalm 34:5 If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Cor. 5:17 You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7 Now, look in the mirror and see the beauty of God’s re-creation! | 
