Beauty Is Everywhere, Even in Hidden and Desolate Places

Years ago, my family and I visited the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park of Southern California. Even though we had just missed the peak blooming season in April, we heard some flowers would still be out in early May.

The visitor center’s media presentation taught us how to look for wildflowers in the desert. We learned that blossoms, magnified on screen, were not so easy to find in the field. But if we searched patiently and carefully, we would find beauty—even in this place.

Armed with information and fresh enthusiasm, we ventured out among the rocks and scrub brush. The topography changed with every hill we traversed. Grassy slopes became forested winding road, then suddenly before us lay the valley floor.

I had never seen such a sight! I grew up in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, then served on a tropical island, and spent home assignments in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. This was unique—spindly little bushes, cacti, and rock. No vibrant colors could be seen from a distance, only browns and some splashes of dull green.

Then our host pointed to a single yellow blossom perched on top of a cactus. It looked stuck on and out of place but there it stood. Sure enough, cacti do bloom! A little later, we found a pale green blossom on another cactus. Gradually, we began to see tiny flowers everywhere—mainly yellows and purples, but some red, white, orange, and pink. Most were tiny. The smallest measured only about four millimeters and grew close to the ground. As we continued to look carefully, persistently, and up close, we were rewarded with gorgeous, unique beauty in a barren place.

Here wildflowers showed off their charm even though few took the effort to notice them. Here, where at first glance all one saw was desolation, sprang thousands of tiny blossoms of sheer radiance.

I thought of how often I want my beauty to be noticed, my efforts praised. Am I willing to bloom in a hidden place simply because my heavenly Father will see and take pleasure in me? And even in bleak times when life feels extremely desolate and nothing seems good, beauty exists even there. Am I intentionally and persistently searching for it?

I reminded myself that nothing I do for God is hidden from his sight (Gen 16:13; Exod 2:25). I resolved to work for him and not for the recognition of others (Col 3:23). I asked God to give me eyes to see “small beautiful flowers” in every dry and desolate place, for there is beauty of some sort everywhere (Prov 2:3–5).

Are you serving unseen in a hidden place? Maybe no one sees what you do or appreciates the good that you create in an arid place. But God sees you. He acknowledges your efforts, even if they only benefit one person, neighbor, child, friend, or workmate. You are the beauty in a hidden place.

Are you serving in a desolate place where nothing seems good? You toil day after day doing what is right, shining your light for the Lord, yet you feel it makes no difference. Nothing changes for the better, in fact, it seems to get worse. You cannot find anything hopeful or good. Ask God to open your eyes. Because there are small things of beauty even in your wilderness. Look for them.

Thank you, Lord, for the picture of hidden beauty in bleak places. Help us to be willing to bloom for your eyes and pleasure alone, not for the recognition of others. Show us beauty in our current circumstances.