UNITED WITH BEAUTY

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) author and professor wrote:

“We want so much more—something the books on aesthetics take little notice of. But the poets and the mythologies know all about it. We do not want merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else, which can hardly be put into words—to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.” (From ‘The Weight of Glory’)

The greatest desire while appreciating beauty, especially Edenic beauty, is to become a part of it. It is to not only walk in a forest or light rain but also to be ‘inside’ what we see and experience. I agree with what David wrote in Psalm 27: “Let me see the Lord’s beauty and look with my own eyes at his Temple.” (v.4) I would prefer to be ‘inside’ this beauty after seeing it. United with Beauty. ‘We want so much more,’ as Lewis said.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength.” Jesus