I must take issue with John Ruskin who said, “ that the most beautiful things in the world are useless like lilies and peacocks”. What is wrong with lilies and peacocks?
I grow lilies in profusion in my garden. I tend them lovingly and stop to admire them no matter the hurry of the day. Every year I look for new colors. I hope they multiply well. I don’t like it when the deer come by and mooch their salads from my lilies. They should go find their own … elsewhere.
I didn’t think the peacock fellow crossing the road in front of my car useless. Nor did everyone else stopped in the road just to watch him. He didn’t even spread that long, beautiful tail. He just meandered along like he owned the road. I guess, for that moment, he DID own the road.
One afternoon I took a break from the office and marched directly two blocks away where I knew some white lilacs bloomed, largely unnoticed. I don’t think anyone ever stopped there to admire the blossoms or smell the fragrance. I went from bush to bush like a honey bee doing just that.
When I started back to the office I thanked God for the lilacs. Then I remembered one-time Olympic star Eric Lyddell who said, “God made me fast and when I run, I feel His pleasure”.
For me that afternoon, Eric’s words translated to, “I made flowers for you to enjoy and when you admire my handiwork, I feel pleasure”. Yes, God smiled.
Useless flowers? Useless birds or animals? I don’t think so. God was pleased to make them and He is honored and glorified as we appreciate what He has fashioned.
Take THAT, John Ruskin!
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” Ecc 3:11.
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