"What if we were to realize that every sunset viewed, every sexual intimacy enjoyed, every favorite food savored, every song sung or listened to, every home decorated, and every rich moment enjoyed in this life isn’t ultimately about itself but is an expression and reflection of God’s essential character? Wouldn’t such beautiful and desirable reflections mean that their Source must be even more beautiful—and, ultimately, most desirable? Beyond sensory beauty, we are instinctively drawn to virtuous beauty in the form of love, kindness, courage, mercy, and the like. These qualities are embodied by our heroes and heroines—Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, fathers, mothers, mentors, and friends. Might these beautiful people not whisper of an Ultimate Lover? Of a perfectly Faithful Friend? Think about it. You may want that car, spouse, vacation, house, body, toy, meal, or position. But could it be that what you really want is God? Consider the latest moment of wonder you experienced. At least for a moment, it created a sense of awe in that mysterious and soulful place within you. Wonder moments are both thrilling and humbling, yet we crave them all the more. This book flows from a conviction that we have largely missed God in our experience of beauty. That day as I experienced my surprise concert at Midway Airport, I listened through a wall. We are all standing outside a wall. We enjoy the divine music of beauty, but our enjoyment often stops there. The greatest wonder is not the music itself but the Musician, not the creation but the Creator. He is beautiful. As Richard Harries puts it, “The fact is that God is beautiful and the Church is hiding this.”4 

Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. – Psalm 96:6 (NASB)"




DeWitt, Steve (2012-03-01). Eyes Wide Open (pp. 8-9). Credo House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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