Why Do We Hunger for Beauty?

"Still are the waters at twilight's hour.
Lonely is the loon's cry piercing the night
Echoes of mourning breaking the calm."

Why does the cry of a loon on a calm lake at low light pierce my soul and move me to longing? Why do the paved roadways of

Banff National Park get clogged with sightseers every summer? Why do the beautiful spots on the silver sides of trout inspire fisherman to fill rolls of film? In the words of songwriter Jim Croegaert, "Why do we hunger for beauty so right? Why do we hunger for beauty?" This question penetrates into the deepest depths of human existence, hinting at who we are, speaking to the design of our souls. I do not possess the "answer" to this question, but within me there is a growing suspicion that the beauty of this world is a sumptuous hors d'oeuvre , a foretaste of the feast to come.

In Romans Paul says that God reveals himself to us through what he has made. Like the creative work of any person, sculpture, painting, poem, or carving nature gives up so many of God's "secrets". Little extrapolation is needed to conclude that God must be beautiful. What other explanation is there for the extravagant beauty of nature.

Nature's beauty moves people, awakens longing, creates an awareness of an aching soul. But it does not satisfy. When I see a snow capped mountain glowing in the fading light of a setting sun or sit beside a lake sheltered from passing winds my soul is reminded that there is something more. These beautiful vistas do not make me content, but fill me with desire. What is desire unless there is something to be desired? If the greatest beauty I know cannot satiate my appetite there must be something more. At least I hope this is the case for if its not I want my eyes to stop seeing!

Why do I hunger for beauty? It is because I have been made to be in relationship with one whose beauty transcends all words in my vocabulary. I am designed to hold the hand and look full in the face of the one who eclipses all I know of beauty. I am hungry because I am not yet full, but I will be. Soon I will see the one whose work I have so long admired and I will eat my fill at the feast I am now sampling.

by: Alan Penner

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