7. THE UNMISTAKEABLE THEOLOGY of radiant beauty

This reflection marks Part 7 of a seven‑part series drawn from our visit to Lebanon and Syria.  Please visit the home-page to view the others.

1Peter 3:3-4  Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

Witnessing the destruction of war is more than just a sobering experience, it is soul destroying.  The mere thought that humans have the capacity to destroy to such an extent that lives become trophies and destruction becomes victories is to stare into a refined kind of barbarism. Standing in Beirut, held by the heavy silence of death, the questions rose faster than answers: What will save this world, Lord? What will save us from this cruelty?

We were once again reminded of a quote by Russian philosopher, novelist, and journalist, Fyodor Dostoevsky:  “Beauty will save the world” .  Out of context, considering all that is happening in Lebanon and Syria today, it’s easy to dismiss this quotation as hopelessly naive or optimistic.   But it seems like for Dostoevsky  “beauty” transcends aesthetics, and is what inspires the best in us, our aspirations for what is good and true, and what connects us to each other.”

The church in Lebanon and Syria radiate this beauty.  A beauty that is visible and attractive – even more so as it stands in contrast against the dark and morbid backdrop of death and destruction

To understand the image of the church in both Lebanon and Syria, we need to pause and reflect on a flower that fills the streets of Lebanon – the humble Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), whose golden blossoms shine like little suns upon slender stems. This flower teaches us a lesson of resilience and radiance. Though it grows in dry, rocky soil, it bursts forth with brightness, reminding us that beauty can be found even in dry spaces and can be attractive even in hardship.

But the true beauty of this little flower is not found only in its appearance, but in its fragrance.  When pressed, it releases a sweet pleasant aroma, a fragrance that pleases the senses.  And this is the beauty that saves.  Its fragrance anoints the fingers even of those who crushed it.  It fills the air, not for itself, but for others — a gentle reminder that our faith is meant to be shared, even when crushed. Just as the broom’s blossoms bring joy to the weary traveller, so too should our lives bring light to those around us.

Let the Spanish broom be a symbol of hope and service: hope, because it blooms where life seems barren; service, because it gives freely of its beauty without asking in return. May we, like this flower, stand tall in difficult places, shine with kindness, and leave behind the sweet fragrance of love.

Richard Rohrs says:  “Christianity operates best by attraction.   Just set the light on the lampstand and if it’s good, and if it’s real, and if it’s beautiful, people will come.”   The Church on lampstand in Lebanon and Syria is the only hope for the region – a beauty worth pursuing.

But, make no mistake, Lebanon and Syria are also beautiful countries with beautiful sights and beautiful people.  There exists a certain grace and poise in people broken by multiple wars that brought a new sense of purpose to our hearts.  We fell in love with the people anew.  Beauty will prevail!!