Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave,
Your faithfulness in Abaddon?
Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? (Psalm 88:11-12)
(Psalm 139)
(Isaiah 61:3, 45:3)
Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary, considered his cancer a "calling" and in a recent article written in Christianity Today said, "We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out. But despite this--because of it-–God offers the possibility of salvation and grace."(1) That possibility of salvation and grace is beauty in brokenness.
Somehow, uniquely, God desires to use those difficult moments of our lives to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful. Even the natural creation attests to this truth. In fall, we marvel at the gorgeous, lush colors of burnt amber, burnished orange, brilliant red, and bright yellow leaves, even as that beauty belies the slow and gradual death of those leaves. Winter buries those leaves under the cold, dark blanket of snow and frost. And yet, death brings forth life. Spring bursts forth year after year with jonquils, iris, lilies, and all the beautiful pastels of new life.
... so often, that face of Christ is demonstrated with beautiful radiance through the broken and dark places in our lives.
Today, if you are experiencing hardship, difficulty or personal darkness, seek the light and beauty of Christ, for he longs to be present to you, to give you a garland of beauty instead of ashes, to call you by name, and to bring forth treasures of darkness. He is there in the brokenness with you.
Comments:
Often the subject of pain and suffering is brought up when discussing God's existence. Let us not forget that God suffered the ultimate in the death of a child. May we understand that our God is not one who is 'above' suffering, but is the suffering servant we cling to.
Please remember my mom's sister, Barbara today. She has gotten out of a 5 day rehab and gone deeper into her alcohol abuse. Please pray for her to receive light in her darkness and for her husband and sisters (4) to have strength, courage, wisdom and peace.
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