This is not a remake of one fairy tale that for centuries has held captive the wild and fertile imagination of children and adults alike. Millions around the world have been magnetized into listening, viewing, and/ or reading that story of old – Beauty and the Beast. As we get familiar with the dazzling account of the imaginary characters, have we not, at one time or another, stared into space, starry-eyed, as we mused about acting the part of the lady protagonist, Belle? Taking our dreams a notch higher, isn’t it heavenly to portray and to be portrayed as the Beauty in our own life story?
But have we ever tried projecting ourselves as a beast? We must have cringed at the thought of being labelled as such. You and I may strongly interject. Me? A beast? No way!!
Your reaction and mine is normal for whoever wants to be called a beast? We always want to delineate an impressive picture of ourselves on the surface and a beast just doesn’t fit our impeccable appearance, our exemplary behaviour, our sterling character. Anywhere we are, we always act with utmost decorum. How could the beast be me? How could it be you?
We all know what a beast is. Aside from being an animal, the term refers to a savage, brutish, cruel, uncouth, unrefined, uncontrollable, insensitive person. And more.
As I mulled over these unpalatable, disparaging words about a beast, I discovered, to my chagrin, that the word BEAST could be me. Or, could it be you, too?
It is for this reason that this article was conceived.
God, who knows us to the core and from whom nothing can be hidden, has this to say through His Word :
“ The heart is DECEITFUL above all things, and desperately WICKED.” Jeremiah 17:9
“ How much less man who is abominable and filthy, who drinks iniquity like water!” Job 15:16
Man is basically evil, a beast for that matter, and his depravity cannot be ignored. There is no exception.
“ For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
We are doomed, whether we like it or not, to eternal damnation because of our sinfulness. But the good news is: THERE IS A CURE!
“ For God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY SON that whosoever believes in Him shall NOT PERISH but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“ But God demonstrates His OWN LOVE for us in that while we were yet sinners CHRIST DIED FOR US.” Romans 5:8
How can God who is holy give His best for the unholy beast? LOVE is the only answer – God’s LOVE that sent Jesus to Calvary. Love doesn’t just cover our iniquities. It DELETES them!
“ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquities.” 1 John 1:9
“ And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34
I asked my grandson, Ishy Boy. “Why do you say I’m beautiful?”
His answer resounded like it came from the highest heavens: “Because I love you.”
Yes, because of love, no matter how messy we have become, the Beauty of the Beast still captures God’s heart. This is THE GOOD LIFE.
May we reflect the beauty of Jesus, the ONLY ONE who truly loves the BEAST.