Ugliness and beauty

There is a lot of beauty in our world. But let’s be honest. There is also a lot of ugliness. Let me provide a few examples:

The non-stop fighting—between nations, in politics, and sometimes even in homes.

Profanity and pornography which continually reinvents itself to shock and ensnare us more and more.

The trafficking of humans as if they were dispensable things, not image-bearers of God.

The taking of life—with greater frequency and insensitivity, from womb to tomb.

The greed of the few to the detriment of the many.

The racism that puts people in categories that the Lord of all life never intended.

The wave after wave of digital depression or anxiety.

The machine of commerce, which cares more about profits than people.

You’re right. That’s a lot. And I don’t mean to be overly negative. The reason I provide these examples is to draw your attention to the fact that the future is beautiful.

Let me repeat, the future is beautiful.

That’s not necessarily a word we associate with Jesus’ second coming. But it fits. Here’s how Peter describes what happens after Judgment Day: “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:1-13).

It is a place of perfect righteousness since we bask in the perfect righteousness of God. Everyone will be living rightly before God and others. It will be an existence of fellowship with God, peace among people, and glorious joy. Further, there will be no pain, tears, suffering or sin.

If ever there is true beauty, that is it!

I say this to encourage you. There is ugliness in the world, but it does not have the final say. The future is beautiful. And if you belong to Christ, you will be a part of it.

“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”