For this entire school year, our family has been treated to our son’s creations in his high school ceramics class. At least once a week, we eagerly anticipated our son proudly displaying a new piece of glazed pottery upon our dining table. Our shelves and hallways are now adorned with his creations ranging from coffee mugs, flower vases, and even a sushi platter. This week we were greeted with something a bit different.
Its form resembled a vase that had been sat upon, leaning in one direction, with coils of clay asymmetrically wound and positioned like an injured snake. Somehow, it still balanced upon its base but appeared ready to tip over at the slightest push or by even placing anything into its interior. Perched in front of the vase was this handwritten description:
Ugly Form Vase
Indeed!
After spending months learning how to create and perfect symmetric ceramic pieces, my son was tasked with creating something that may not fit into our preconceived notion of beauty. As I studied this vase, twisted and contorted, in stark contrast with his other pieces, it became my favorite. Its beauty and strength hid behind a seemingly ugly form.
For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:2 (ESV)
I spent the first twenty years of my life learning how to be the best. I had to be the best student to get into the best schools and eventually get the best job. I had to project the image of success. I had to be perfect. My life turned upside down when I met Jesus Christ. My relationship with Jesus taught me the foolishness of seeking a life based upon appearances. I was focused upon perfection when I should have been focused upon the Author of Perfection, Jesus Christ.
I was the ugly form.
The only beauty that I could ever posses would be through sanctification in a relationship with Jesus Christ. For all who have confessed and repented of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the face of Jesus Christ will greet them in Heaven the moment they take their last breath on this earth. On earth, He was tortured and beaten until His appearance was beyond recognition. In Heaven, His glorified Body will be beautiful beyond anything we can ever imagine. His ugly form at the end of his life on earth concealed a hidden beauty and is forever present for all to see if they are willing to accept His invitation to salvation and eternal life.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 