Can Something be “Too Beautiful”? Wrap-Up

We’ve done it! We have arrived at the wrap-up post in this “Too Beautiful” mini-series. We have looked at the skies, rocks, trails, and wonders of Sedona, Arizona.

It is time to decide. Can something be too beautiful? What do you think?

My answer is Yes. And Sedona is a perfect case in point.

Sedona is too beautiful because it stumbles people. People who are looking for God get derailed there. They mistake its grandeur for deity.

Many people worship in Sedona. They meditate, sing, pray, dance, and surrender themselves. But they misplace their awe.

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is for ever praised. Amen.”

Romans 1:25

Sedona boasts temples and worship centers of all kinds. People worship the rocks and the rivers. They offer themselves in devotion to the sun, moon, wind, trees, and all manner of created things.

I think Sedona is too beautiful because many people cannot get past its beauty. They fail to look beyond it to the One who Created it. For them, it is enough in and of itself.

People worship the rock formations, the sky, the earth, and all kinds of created things in Sedona.

There is palpable spirituality in Sedona, but most of it has nothing to do with the Spirit of God. Of course, there are Christians there too. They are people standing for Jesus as lights in a very dark place.

Sedona’s Christians know what you and I know. They are aware that every good gift is given by God. Creation itself attests to God’s glory. It’s beauty is meant to direct our attention to Him, not from Him.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Romans 1:20

And, my friends, as beautiful as Sedona is, it cannot compare to what Heaven will be like. I believe that if people could get one glimpse of where God dwells, and what He has promised to His children, they would never again misplace their worship on the likes of Sedona’s beauty.

A Beautiful Lesson for You and Me

Let’s get honest with ourselves. Do we ever misplace our worship? Stop and think about that before you shake your head and say, “Of course not!”

I caught myself doing it just the other day. It was more subtle than making an altar to a created thing, but it was of the same essence. I woke up, opened the blinds, and said to the pine trees outside, “Good morning, forest! You’re looking beautiful today!”

A few hours later, I saw chipmunks playing for the first time since winter roared in. Although they couldn’t hear me, I said “Welcome back, chipmunks! I’ve missed you and I love you!”

Both times, the Holy Spirit convicted me. I corrected myself. I told God that the forest was beautiful and thanked Him for bringing the chipmunks safely through winter.

“‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.’”

Revelation 4:11

I think Sedona is too beautiful. People stop to worship it instead of looking beyond it to its Creator. But it does provide a great lesson for you and me.

I’ve seen how I am also prone to appreciating created things instead of directing all my praise and thanksgiving to God.

What about you? Do you think something can be too beautiful? Why or why not?

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:16, 17