Lord, Make Us Beautiful

In a recent worship service on campus we sang about how God makes beautiful things out of dust. God made us, formed a human being of “dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” In his own image, in the image of God, he created mankind. Male and female he created us. And somehow, far beyond our understanding, we share in the beauty of God himself. And God saw all that he had made, and it was all very good, beautiful like its creator. 

But because of our sinful, rebellious choices, the original, inherent beauty and goodness is marred, defaced, obscured. The chapel service ends and we walk outside together. I watch students, teachers, coaches and staff moving in all directions, to all the wondrous variety of “next things” in their lives. And I realize that Fresno Pacific is a massive collaboration with the creator who continues to be in the business of making beautiful people or, more accurately, the business of making people beautiful. 

My mind leaped from the visions of the original creation to the vision of all followers of Jesus at the end of this age being made ready as the beautiful bride of Christ for the final culminating celebration of God’s eternal plan. My life as president of Fresno Pacific University is constantly filled with beauty becoming more beautiful, filled with people choosing to become more like Jesus Christ.

I get to enjoy the elegant beauty of a math or science problem resolved, the beauty of a lung-bursting swim, of flying slam dunks, of music too challenging for me to understand that still overwhelms my emotions, of the brilliance of insights into the human predicament and the meaning of the Bible that shines the light of truth into a world blinded by its own preference for darkness. I am blessed with the beauty of teachers who are still learners, and students who are already teachers. I walk every day surrounded by the beauty of people who truly rejoice as they model how to overcome a world of ignorance, fear and despair with the power of truth, faith and hope. For all these blessings, I am truly grateful.

On July 1, 2017, Joseph Jones, Ph.D., will assume the role of president. I believe God guided the FPU Board of Trustees to the person he has prepared to lead us in achieving the enormous potential that lies ahead for this most beautiful Christian university. Joe and his wife, Yvette, listened to God’s whisper and accepted the challenge to lead during this period of social, legal and economic uncertainty. FPU is ready, and they will succeed if you will give them the support of your generosity and the power of your prayers for them and for Fresno Pacific. Pray with them that at Fresno Pacific University, the Lord will make us beautiful for his eternal glory.