| Strength and Beauty |
Chapter 13 |
Page 6 |
It would be easy to fill pages with the names of individuals who have gone down in defeat, but who in their very failure have started influences which have enriched the world. In the centre of this great host is Jesus Christ. The story of his blessed life is a story of failure and defeat according to the world’s estimate. But did the cross leave a blot on his name? Is it not the very glory of his life that he dies thus in the darkness that day? Was his career a failure? Christianity is the answer. He is the Captain also and leader of a great host who like him have been defeated and have failed, but have made the world richer by their sacrifice. Let no one speak of such defeats as blots on fair names; rather they are adornings of glory. In all such failure there is divine beauty.
There is another application of the same truth. Earthly life is full of pain and sorrow. God had one Son without sin; he has none without suffering, for Christ was the prince of sufferers. The world regards adversity and sorrow of every kind as misfortune. It would never call a man blessed or happy whose life is full of trial and tears. But the gospel turns a new light, the light from heaven, upon earthly life, and in this wonderful light affliction and sorrow appear beautiful. One of our Lord’s beatitudes is for the troubled life – “Blessed or happy are they that mourn.” In the light of Christ’s gospel it is not a favor to be without trial. Rather it is a token of God’s love when we are called to endure chastening. In this darkest of all blots on life, as men would regard it, there is beauty. One writes–
“If all our life were one broad glare
Of sunlight, clear, unclouded;
If all our paths were smooth and fair,
By no soft gloom enshrouded;
If all life’s flowers were fully blown,
Without the sweet unfolding,
And happiness were rudely thrown
On hands too weak for holding–
Should we not miss the twilight hours,
The gentle haze and sadness?
Should we not long for storms and showers,
To break the constant gladness?
“If none were sick and none were sad,
What service could we render?
I think if we were always glad,
We scarcely could be tender;
Did our beloved never need
Our patient ministration,
Earth would grow cold and miss, indeed,
Its sweetest consolation;
If sorrow never claimed our heart,
And every wish were granted,
Patience would die and hope depart–
Life would be disenchanted.”
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