DISCOVER BEAUTY
05th Apr 2017
The second half of Romans 12 has the title “Love” in my Bible. It contains practical, down to earth directives on how we should treat each another. Read from verse 9 to the end of the chapter, it’s great stuff.
I was reading this passage in The Message and was struck by the phrase in verse 17, which says, “Discover beauty in everyone”. I find this challenging and stimulating. We live in a world where there is a culture of criticism, putting people down and saying bad things about others. Jesus says in Luke 6, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticise their faults...”
As believers we are to change this culture and to find ways to affirm, praise and build up all those we meet. The word “Discover” is significant because “beauty” is often hidden under pain and the damage that life has caused. God created us all in “His image and likeness”, but living in a sinful world has had its devastating effect on so many.
So today as you come into contact with friends and strangers look for the beauty in each one. Encourage those you speak with, comfort those who are struggling, pray for those who are marginalised, strengthen those who are weak. Your words and your prayers can have a life transforming effect on those around you.
Don’t try and fix everyone, just love them. Jesus told his disciples, “Love one another, by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” We are also told that, “Love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Just think of someone who annoys you and who you find very difficult, and then ask God to show you the beauty He has placed in them, and you will find your attitude changing and your actions being transformed.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each others, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
by Charles Sibthorpe
