Ok I admit, I read it… I read a book that some may think I shouldn’t have because, after all, I’m a man and men don’t read girlie books. But give me the benefit of doubt on this one. This one is different. It is called “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge. If you’re a Christian, you are probably familiar with the writers. John wrote “Wild at Heart” – a book about men for men. Great read, by the way. But I figured that since I’ve already seen one side of the story, why stop there? I wanted to learn about both sides.

While this book didn’t resonate with me the way “Wild at Heart” did (and I’d be scared if I found “Captivating” very resonating…), I think John and Stasi do a good job pointing out the aspects of God that are feminine. Quite often we forget that all of us, both male and female, are made in the image of God. Thus it is only logical that we can discover who God is by looking at the feminine side as well.

So let’s talk about beauty for a minute. John and Stasi point out that beauty is not just something you stumble upon every day. Oftentimes beauty is hidden. It needs to be uncovered. In feminine terms Stasi says that every woman has an outer and an inner beauty to unveil. Every woman likes to be pursued and every woman longs to “be the beauty and to offer beauty”. And in the Godly sense there is also hidden beauty. In both senses that beauty isn’t simply there for the taking. It is hidden because God wants it to be pursued and uncovered. For example, it isn’t enough for God to just sit there high on His throne, look down upon us, peons, point his finger and tell us what to do. No, the whole point of Christianity is the relationship that we build with God. God isn’t merely content with us acknowledging Him. He wants us to pursue Him and to build that very personal relationship. In turn, we uncover God’s majesty as we get closer and closer.

John and Stasi liken this to the process of uncovering beauty in nature. Typically, the most beautiful and pristine places aren’t the ones that you see outside your window every day. To find the truly breathtaking sights you must put some effort into it, you must embark on a journey. I have done quite a bit of traveling myself and can attest to this firsthand. The most remote locations I have visited proved to harbor the most stunning gems of natural beauty. It cannot be captured, it cannot be described, it can only be perceived. So it is with God that the beauty is only revealed when you seek out God yourself. Have you noticed God’s beauty? It is everywhere. It is in nature, it is in us as humans, it is in the love He pours out onto each and every person without reservation and it is in the relationship each one of us builds with Him. Have you found this beauty yet? Are you looking for it?

– Alexei