Why beauty?

Why beauty?

Why do we see in color?  Is it simply a more precise way to distinguish between things of similar shape or size?  Granted, it would be more difficult to discern from three birds of varying shades of grey than a red one, a blue one, and a green one.  Why are there so many varieties of flowers?  Could not bees pollinate from the same kind of flower? Is it really necessary?  Why are there so many different kinds of music?  Why are we captivated by majestic waterfalls, snowcapped mountains, ocean waves, and meteor showers?  Why do we celebrate a gothic cathedral, a renaissance painting, a singing violin solo or a screaming guitar solo, a perfectly executed gymnastics routine, and a perfectly executed double-play? Why does there seem to be an innate desire within us to create, to build, to put things in order?  Of course, there are men who take pleasure in chaos, in anarchy, in destruction, but we recognize them as the exception, the aberration. Is it a coincidence that societies founded on the denial of God’s existence, were societies typified by the monolithic, the grey, the unexceptional.  Soviet architecture was big, but not particularly beautiful; functional, but certainly not frilly. Is the observable world around us simply the result of an endless number of random mutations?  Or is there something within nature that reflects the variety, creativity, and power of its Creator?  Is there something within us that is a clue to the Creator in whose image we are made?  Is it because God has made us, and whether we like it or not, whether we recognize it or not, we imitate our creator? The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  –Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.  So they are without excuse.  –Romans 1:18-20 (ESV) –Pastor Dave