Affirmation:

I speak and release beauty wherever I go and whatever I do. My life adds beauty to this world and to others. The avenues of beauty are wide open to me (songs, thoughts, words, etc.)

Scripture

PSALM 96: 5-6, 11-12 (ESV)

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it!

When you speak and create beautiful thoughts, words, ideas, actions, or art, you bear the image of God. As human beings we carry the very image of God in our identity. But there are ways we can radiate God's image even more through our words and actions.

I used to think beautiful things were just a "nice to have", surplus or extra. They weren't necessities for life. However, the more I grow to know God, the more I don't think this is true.

In case you haven't noticed…

• Everything God creates is beautiful.

• He always goes the extra mile.

• He goes above and beyond what's basic.

• He provided detailed instructions for the making of the temple, the ark of the covenant, and Noah's ark.

• All of creation is a grand display of God’s beautiful thoughts and creativity.

God even creates us with the potential to grow in beauty. He embeds in us the possibility of beauty. Why bother doing that if beauty isn't important?

My husband makes guitars, and they are a work of art. The level of detail and intricacy involved is absolutely stunning. Often times I ask him what a certain detail is for, and many times his answer is "aesthetics." Not everything has to be functional.

Beauty is reason enough.

I want to challenge you to make a deposit of beauty into the world on a regular basis. Drop an encouraging comment onto social media and add beauty to a conversation. If you're a singer or songwriter, release a piece of beautiful music (even if it's a 30-second chorus). If you're a painter, splash some paint on a canvas and let people see it. If you are a wordsmith, release beauty through your words. If you are a person who prays for others, release the favor and beauty of God over the people you are praying for. Declare beauty over their lives, families, and children. If you cook, bring me over some dinner! Lol.

Beauty is everywhere. It reflects the nature and heart of God. If you want to elevate and reflect God's heart in this world…release, create, and speak beauty. I believe you have beautiful words of encouragement in you. Use this affirmation to get started. You don't have to be crafty to create beauty. You simply have to ask God how you can release beauty into this world today. 

The world needs you. The world needs the beauty only you can bring.

Joyfully,

Rachel B.