Our Beloved, Our Friend

BLESSEDNESS IN BROKENNESS

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Isaiah prophetically spoke of things that would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus, at His second coming. Yet some things, some truths, which Isaiah wrote about, have become a reality historically. They are also occurring in and through us today. The timeless truth that beauty can come from ashes, that blessedness can come in brokenness took on new meaning for me on a trip with my son.

As we climbed, by car, to the summit of Mount Rainer, I was captivated by the haunting yet mysteriously veiled presence of Mount St. Helens that loomed across the valley. In 1980, from deep within the core of this mountain, a massive volcano had erupted, pouring tons of ugly, boiling lava and ash down the mountainsides. Everything in its path was smothered by destruction, devastation and even death. Being so near this site evoked a powerful reminder deep within me of the suffering we all encounter in life. But, in the midst of this awareness of brokenness and pain, the Lord prompted me to think about His promise of beauty and blessings that can come in these situations – His promise to comfort all who morn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:3)

Not only did He bring that precious promise to mind, but He also provided a tangible reminder of it. Upon arriving at the top of the mountain, we discovered a shop with artifacts from that disaster. A lovely, delicate ceramic pitcher, creamy in color with speckled earthen swirls, caught my eye. This tiny treasure was sculpted by the hand of an artist, using the ash that fell during that eruption. The pitcher was truly a thing of beauty and grace, something one would use to fill with the good things of this life, and then pour out to bless others.

In this broken world, ashes from unexplainable and undeserved volcanoes in our lives come to all – through illness, losses and victimization. Ashes come from unmet needs like a hunger for personal relationships and comforts, for worth and meaning, just to name a few. Sometimes ashes are the result of our own wrong choices, sometimes they are not. We frequently strive, unsuccessfully, to “fix” and protect ourselves in numerous ways, including trying to be “perfect,” striving for position and seeking other people’s approval. We try to ignore our pain, escape from it or put up walls in an effort for self-preservation.

The little pitcher became a reminder of the priceless promise of our ever-present Lord. Allowing the light of His love to pierce the darkness of our brokenness, His tender touch transforms these ashes. His promise – to bring beauty from the ashes in our lives, blessings from brokenness and to display His splendor, His glory, through us – becomes a reality.

In our ashes of brokenness and pain, our Beloved says:

I come to you and call you to the Cross where I claim you as my own and make you whole – a new creation.

(John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 2:6-7)

I create something new, something good and call you into a more intimate relationship with Me. I comfort you and choose you to be My blessing to others.

(Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20-21, 2 Corinthians 1:3-11) I change you and challenge you to become all I created you to be.

(James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5 and I Peter 1 1:6-7)

Blessings in brokenness, beauty from ashes, new life from destruction and even death. This is His promise through the Cross. His promise revealed in so many ways throughout our lives. His promise revealed in the little pitcher I saw that day but now sits upon my shelf, a constant reminder of our Beloved’s loving provision and grace.

How have you experienced brokenness? What volcanoes have brought ashes into your life? In your situation of suffering, how can you look for beauty in the ashes? What difference does our Lord’s presence and promise in Isaiah make? How have you seen Him bring blessings in your brokenness? Are you living captive to these ashes or free to display His splendor in spite of yourself, in spite of your circumstances, through the power of His Spirit living within you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that, just like the artist who molded and shaped that tiny pitcher, Your touch can turn the ashes in my life into a thing of beauty. Help me to look to and focus on You in times of brokenness so I will not miss the blessings – blessings like leaning on You, learning all You have for me in these times and loving You more as I experience Your faithfulness in new ways. Help me to remember that I can’t do this, only You can as Your Spirit works in me. May I be a planting deeply rooted in You, displaying Your splendor – a vessel You use to help others, to set them free and depend on You when volcanic-like events disrupt their days and threaten to destroy their lives. Thank You for Your promise revealed in the little pitcher. In Jesus’ name, Amen.