Exerpts from Lover of My Soul

Last night, in my devotion, I came across the coolest realization about man and his inability to truly appreciate beauty.

A few outstanding lines from the chapter...

• Do you know the difference between observation and a gaze? An observation is a fact-finding mission. "What is this plant?" "What kind of blossom is that?" How is this garden watered?" Those are observation questions. A gaze is a deeper look-not for the purpose of discovering information but for the sake of enjoyment. A gaze is more like absorbing than observing....We have an invitation to worship God in the beauty of holiness. It is an invitation to gaze upon the Lord's loveliness, not for education, but for enjoyment.


• No one can enjoy beauty and demand it to be useful at the same time. Isn't that the primary way we miss beauty? As soon as we place a selfish demand upon the beautiful [thing], we lose sight of its glory. If a man could look upon a woman and admire her beauty without fantasizing about having her, there would be no lust. But when the beholding turns to using, it becomes sin.


• Too often, we worshipers become like tourists at the Grand Canyon. With a 35mm camera, a Polaroid, and a handycam, the tourist collects lots of slides, photos, and footage to show his friends back home. He sees the famous site through his viewfinders but misses the canyon's grandeur for the lack of a long, slow, unhurried gaze...HOW SILLY TO MISS THE BEAUTY FOR THE SAKE OF A SOUVENIR TO SHOW OFF. Some things aren't meant to be captured or used. They are just for beholding.


• God, the heavenly Bridegroom, delights in answering your prayers, comforting your hurts, and protecting you from harm. But..our Prince is not primarily useful - HE IS BEAUTIFUL. God didn't create you primarily to learn something about Him or do something for Him. He made you to admire His splendor and enjoy His beauty.


• His beauty is not hard to find. Open the Word-you'll see the splendor there. Open your heart-you can behold the beauty. Open your mouth-you were created to proclaim it.

So often, I spend a few minutes at the opening of a prayer, thanking God for Jesus' sacrifice and thanking Him for the blessings in my life. Then, selfishness takes over and my laundry list of hurts, needs, and confessions fill up the remainder of my prayers. After reading this last night, I was so convicted to spend more time adoring Him. While He says I can ask for them, He already knows my needs. I want to do what I was made to do...worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.