Beauty in Pain... The Ultimate Contradiction?

In everything beautiful there is pain. Can they exist on their own, apart from each other? The things in life we most appreciate come at a price. Thunderstorms, fire, darkness, love... even the cross.
Thunderstorms are a powerful display of nature, often awe inspiring by those who love to watch them. Even aside from striking fear into the hearts who don't like them, thunderstorms have the power to destroy, yet many find themselves transfixed in awe. The same with fire. It gives light, heat, allows us to cook and can offer us protection and it too can destroy. One errant spark and the results can be disastrous. Depending on the circumstances darkness can be cold or comforting, terrifying or full of warmth. Love, as wonderful an emotion as it is, when it is abused it leaves people hurt, damaged and scared to try again or to be vulnerable. The cross... not really something most people find beautiful, yet when I look at the cross I see the one person who was willing who gave everything for me. Who searched me out and when he found me bound in chains he gave his life to break the lock holding me. Many will look and only see a blood stained chunk of wood, an instrument of torture, a death sentence. I see love. I see my Jesus, and fall to my knees humbled and amazed at the beauty expressed through the pain. August 22, 2007