Whatsoever Things Are Lovely
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”
Resplendent, I thought as I gasped. Open-mouthed, I took in the unspeakable beauty of the turning leaves of autumn. It was as if a chorus of blazing colour had swept through our town, and a master painter had splashed brilliance upon the trees that had become the painter’s canvas. It brought wonder to my soul and a sense of peace in the midst of turmoil. It is impossible to know our Creator God through Jesus, and not know His artistry; His unimaginable creativity in every aspect and cycle of life, and the joy that He continually brings to our hearts through such beauty – even in the midst of seemingly inescapable suffering and sorrow. Yet, as I took in the wonder of His creation, I pondered the mystery of the presence of beauty in a world that has grown so dark and in many ways “ugly.
You’ll read in this month’s issue about the faithful men and women of North Korea who, though denied any privilege of faith except to worship a mortal man, believe (at their peril) in the one and only true God – Jesus – and pursue the same dreams for their families that we do. Such devoted Christian men and women, held captive by those who see only in stark “black and white,” seek refuge in our Lord God and in His eternal promises, which are as faithfully executed as the changing of the seasons.
I think of our brothers and sisters in North Korea, incarcerated and abused in one of a number of horrific “prison camps,” or those who have managed to escape at the risk of being killed for their faith in Christ. I wonder if the beauty of God’s creation, unquenchable and undeniable even in North Korea, is bringing them encouragement and peace. I wonder if His artistic promptings are milestones and road markers that serve as reminders of His love and salvation, and point towards His comfort and courage while journeying through what the psalmist describes in Psalm 23 as “the valley of the shadow of death” (NIV). In verse 2 of this psalm, David paints a glorious and desirable image of not only a place and space where we would long to be, but a state of presence where we, as a result of His shepherding and salvation, already are:
“[The Lord] makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters...”
Keep in mind that the context for David’s imagery of “green pastures” and “quiet waters” can also reflect our coincident journey through the seemingly dark valleys of life and death...even capture and torture.
Our dear founder, Richard Wurmbrand, spent 14 years in “solitary confinement” discovering the true and hidden beauty of the presence and covering of Christ that’s available regardless of one’s circumstances and stations. His testimony echoes the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 (KJV):
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Paul’s advice to the Philippians encourage us to look beyond the sorrow and suffering to the true and deep beauty of God’s creation and His eternal provisions as the “Author and Finisher of our faith.” The apostle’s words of wisdom draw us even closer to God’s creative heart and mission, linking His redemptive and reconciling love with our pain and sorrow like a sweet balm that brings hope and a sense of the newness of life in Christ – not unlike the fragrance of autumn that soothes our souls on the forest roads of our faith.
I hope that these comments, and the following concluding thought, referencing 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV), will be like a spiritual oasis as you take in the enormity of the challenges that we, as the Canadian church, are facing every day in and through our mission to serve those who are being persecuted:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”
May you be blessed as you pray and stand with us, exuding a calm assurance that He is indeed Lord over all and truly lovely to behold!
- Doug
