The trouble with beauty, then, may not be that it resists definition. The trouble is that it refuses to remain an idea. Beauty asks something of us. It invites attention. It calls us beyond ourselves. It awakens longing for things that are true, good and whole. (More HERE)

In the past few weeks I have pondered how I am so easily distracted. I have heard so many serendipitous presentations, or read similar articles, that have spoken to my distractions. In all of it, as I have tried to keep my focus back on discipleship, there is the element of beauty and gazing on Christ that is so vital.

The key in discipleship is where our attention is focused. When discipleship is really at work in me I find the beauty of Christ. So the opening quote is very appropriate for me.

Beauty refuses to remain an idea.

Beauty calls me to stop all else and gaze. It calls me to ponder. It calls me to mull over.

What I struggle with is distraction. The “quick hit” of the digital world all around. The artificial world that is too easily built and then can grip me because those dopamine hits are really … REALLY… nice. But, with dopamine, you have to increase the dosage. Then, the artificial somehow morphs into the new false reality.

And I fail to observe, comprehend, contemplate beauty.

The beauty of Christ calls me beyond myself. Artificial reality is ready to boost me. It is ready to elevate me. It lies to me of what is good and true and whole. The farther down the rabbit hole I may go, the more it lies about what is true. It lies that I don’t need something beyond myself. And the reality of true beauty fades.

True beauty won’t call out. It will remain where it is. I am the one who has to turn back to look. BUT, when I turn to look, beauty is there and it stuns me. The task then is to keep gazing. Beauty will do its work. Gazing at Christ, he will do his work.

Grace is not opposed to effort. It is opposed to earning. — Dallas Willard

Grace is fuel to be burned every day in the life of the believer.

So, grace will fuel me to refuse to pick up the devices too quickly in the morning. Grace will fuel me to set aside devices at key times in the day.

And grace… will lead me home.

Just look on HIM. HE is beautiful.