Beauty for Ashes

Dear friends of ours had their house burn down this last week. I can't imagine how devastating that must feel. It was incredible to hear him stand up before the congregation and praised God for the miracle he had seen in that. I'm not sure that I would have been quite so ready to bring thanksgiving so soon after something like that.

God has the most amazing laboratory in the world. In His laboratory, He makes beauty out of ashes. Yes - really. You take him the ashes of your life's hopes, dreams and desires, and He makes them beautiful.

You don't give up on your dreams when you become a Christian, you just allow God to change them into what He always intended them to be. God is the author of dreams.

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. ~ Isa 61:3

Read the whole passage about what Jesus came to do. As a follower of Jesus, you are a part of this. This is the good news that we share with others when we tell our God-stories. The stories about our journey with Jesus.

Beauty for ashes is not just for you. It's for your family, your colleagues, your neighbours, your friends. It's for everyone.

What dreams have you given up on? What in your life is just ashes? Give it all to God to work on in His laboratory of grace.

I'll trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of Mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross