When I saw this quote from St. Teresa of Calcutta, “Do something beautiful for God,” I thought of the Christmas song “Little Drummer Boy.” I have always loved that song. The purity and genuine longing of the boy to do something special for Jesus has always touched my heart. I am struck with that same feeling with these words of Mother Teresa.
Doing something beautiful for God sounds like a heroic task. Brokering world peace, feeding the hungry, and setting all the captives free come to mind. I often think that only grand and monumental things are worthy to be offered to God. Yet, if that were true none of us would have anything good enough to give to God.
Time and time again in the Scriptures we hear of people giving their best, simple as it is, and their offerings are accepted and lauded. The widow offering a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil to the Prophet of God (1 Kings 17:7-16), the five loaves and two fishes (Matthew 14:13-21), and the widow’s two coins (Mark 12:41-44) all come to mind….and don’t forget the “Little Drummer Boy.”
Doing something beautiful for God is what we are called to do every day in our own unique way given the circumstances of our life. Doing what we can to help others. Giving praise and worship to God. Making sacrifices with joy and finding the good in the world. All of this is how we participate in the life of God and make His Kingdom come to life here on earth.
So, what is your something beautiful?