This picture of the sea of Siam is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Its blend of color, shine and softness depict a harmony that we only experience a few times in our lives. When we think of beauty, pleasantness comes to mind; a unification of all that is good, truly a gift from God. But what about those things which are NOT BEAUTIFUL? Are they even worth having around at all? Things like those comfortable pair of old sneakers, or that soft sweater with the ugly stain on it? As human beings we certainly need to appreciate both aspects of life and recognize each for its true importance. Consider the following passage from Isaiah for example.Isa 53
1Who has believed our message? and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we didn't respect him.4 Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn't open his mouth.8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the disobedience of my people to whom the stroke was due?9 They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand.11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.WEB
1Who has believed our message? and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we didn't respect him.4 Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn't open his mouth.8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the disobedience of my people to whom the stroke was due?9 They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand.11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.WEB
On the surface, God's suffering servant was nothing to brag about; not a very good life at all. The results of that life, however, make this picture of the sea of Siam pale in comparison. The winds may churn up the sea and the sky grow dark and dreary, even those beautiful blossoms may whither and fade, but the Spiritual effects of God's less than good-looking servant have remained for over 2,000 years and will continue to grow in the future. Remember, beauty is only skin deep, but spiritual obedience has a realm of greatness that is beyond our wildest dreams. It will ultimately bring us into the presence of God and that will be the most beautiful experience anyone could ever imagine.