You Are Beautiful

Mechthild of Magdeburg was a 13^th Century mystic who left a seven volume work entitled, “The Flowing Light of the Godhead.”  I happened upon a prayer attributed to her – “Lord, help me to believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is.”  For many of us, who tend to be hard on ourselves, this prayer comes as a sweet surprise.  We’re ready, it seems, to see the ugliness of our souls – prepared to beat ourselves up once again.  But, Mechthild helps us to see God, and ourselves, from a different point of view. 

            Matthew Fox, chastised Roman Catholic theologian of the 20^th Century, wrote a book entitled, “Original Blessing,” in which he pointed out that the Biblical story does not begin with original sin (ugliness), but original blessing (beauty).  “And God saw everything that [God] had made and, indeed, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

            One of the sad legacies of some strains of Christianity is the rather strict puritanical perspective that induces neurotic guilt in its adherents.  This is so counter to any understanding of original blessing and beauty that I would have to say that such severe notions of Christianity are not Christian at all.  Jesus came that we might “have life to the full” (John 10:10). 

            Admittedly, Jesus tells some parables in which the characters are cast into the outer darkness, but mostly because these characters were not prepared to celebrate life (the foolish maidens, the banquet-goers who don’t dress for the banquet, the talent-waster who refuses to take any chances). And remember that these are parables, given to hyperbole (exaggeration), in order to make a point.  Life with Jesus seems to be more about stretching the limits of life, rather than adhering to restrictions.

The prophet Zephaniah gives us a picture of an other-than-severe God (3:17):

The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
    a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
    he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

            In conversation yesterday with a friend, he reminded me of Eugenia Price’s book, The Wider Place, in which she testifies to the expansive nature of God’s grace.  The more recent book, UnChristian, describes how the secular world has been put off by puritanical, judgmental Christians.  Well, the world should be put off by Christians who purport to be the thought police.  But the world should also know that such Christianity is an aberration. 

            There is a wide place for those who feel hemmed in.  There is a healing balm for those who beat themselves up.  There are green pastures and still waters for souls who need rest.  There is singing and dancing which abounds around a laughing Jesus (Matthew 11:19).  There is original blessing in every creature God has made, even you, even me.  Lord, help me to believe the truth about myself, no matter how beautiful it is.  Amen.