He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

All of us get some sort of image when the word beautiful is mentioned. We can think of physical characteristics as in a person’s facial features, physique, or in the way one gracefully moves. We could think of describing a sunset, a flower, a celestial pattern, a waterfall, or a sunny day. We could get abstract by describing a thought, a plan, or an emotional reaction as beautiful. What about the inspiration that flows from the time-tested classic “America The Beautiful,” written by Katherine Lee Bates in the late 1890’s? We even have the capacity to be “beautifully” sarcastic. Who hasn’t heard, “Beautiful, just beautiful” to convey an inconvenience or something negative.

It has been said that in studying the Scriptures, the word beautiful suggests God’s perfect timing in action. We get a good understanding of what that means by watching a great athlete, politician, dancer, comedian or public speaker. Without appropriate timing, greatness in their performance is impossible. We get further understanding when we enjoy an event that is planned, processed, and produced in excellence. This shines a great light on the performance of the Creator in His creation. Take for example the earth’s gravity and electromagnetics or His recent election-day display of an incredible blood moon shown here. They are mind-boggling enough to yell WOW! and stop us in our humble tracks.

So what does this have to do with us? If we never realized there was another “timing” going on, then to wake up to that reality is a good start. When my wife and I arrive at night to our home and turn on the lights, it’s beautiful to see our way around. In contrast, think about in the beginning when God said to our entire earthly home, “Let there be light!” What could be more beautiful or amazing than that? Eversource, as awesome as that company might be, didn’t exist back then and certainly wasn’t consulted when God decided to give us light in the will of His clock.

We have a natural tendency to limit ourselves by our experiences, backgrounds, emotions, thoughts and cultural influences; but with God, all things are possible. In reading Romans chapter 8, there is an extraordinary insight on being led by God’s Spirit or His way of doing the right thing, at the right time, and in the right way. Apostle Paul suggests to us there is the reality of God’s spiritually influenced timing in our lives to be accessed for our benefit and for the benefit of others.

So, let there be beauty in our lives this week — the kind of beauty that allows God’s influence to shine so we can see and act to please Him. Our light, life, truth, breath, joy, peace, forgiveness, and so much more are just a sample of the characteristics we have and can enjoy from our Father’s loving nature. May His love, light, and timing shine upon our attitudes and activities this week. If we expectantly receive that personally as our hope, what could be more beautiful than that?

Gen 1:1; Matthew 19:26; Romans 8