The Rose and the Clitoris

In the short story, “The Naval Treaty,” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes observes that many things in life are essential for our existence. But flowers, such as a rose, are “an extra,” “an embellishment of life, not a condition of it.” They are a gift that shows the goodness of our Creator, meant for our enjoyment rather than our survival.

The same thing could be said for the clitoris, the one organ of the human body that appears to serve no purpose other than providing pleasure.

The rose and the clitoris are both gifts from God. So are the plants and animals that provide our food, the water without which life would not exist, and even the air we breathe. So too are music and art, sports and competition, sunshine and rain, work and vacations, intelligence and athleticism. Most of us have the blessings of our senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Indeed, life itself is a gift from God.

God gives us these gifts because he loves us. That love demonstrates the goodness of God better than anything else could, because he didn’t have to love us. Nothing requires God to give us what we need to live or the many things that make life fun, exciting, enriching, and satisfying. But he gives those things because of his great love for us.  Indeed, John tells us twice that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8, 4:16)

Because of that love, he sent Jesus to teach us, heal us, and show us the way to eternal life. We just need to love him in return—which is, after all, the greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38, Mark 12:28-30)