Finding beauty from ashes
Longing for hope
The last year has brought more than I ever thought possible in 365 days. Has anyone else just longed for a reprieve? We don’t need a me day or a day of self care, we need a deep alteration of the state of our mind and spirit. How often have I prayed God would let there be joy, peace that surpasses all understanding, redemption, grace, and mercy flowing like a river from all people? Daily I have asked the Lord to make all things right.
Calling out the ashes
Last month, a friend and I attended an incredible women’s conference. It was such a great time of leaning in and listening to the Lord. During the weekend, we were told they wanted each woman to walk away with a promise from the Lord. As the conference was ending, and I had no clue what the word God had for me was. Honestly, I was so weary from circumstances a few weeks earlier to really care. I was fine not hearing a specific word because simply being there was enough. But God.
At the final prayer, my friend turned to me and said, “God has been telling me to tell you something, but I’ve been arguing with Him about it because it doesn’t sound positive. It doesn’t sound like it’s a good thing, but He won’t let me off the hook. The word God wants you to hear this weekend is ‘destruction’ – I’m sorry!” I smiled, and couldn’t help but laugh at how my sweet friend delivered this word. And I smiled because I understood.
Over the last year, I have found God to be even better than I had ever believed. I found His word to be sweeter than I have ever tasted. His peace surpasses my understanding, even in a year that flipped upside down. And His joy has been more abundant than I have ever known. All of this in a year when my plans, my ideas all got destroyed.
It was a year of preconceived notions being destructed. And even when the path, the one I believed I would travel for a while, was destroyed, I found Him drawing me closer, deepening my roots in Him.
Finding the beauty
The destruction of what I thought should happen, of my plans, allowed Him to open new doors. The destruction of the last year has brought me here, where I am writing what will be my third book. An opportunity I thought would be great was blown to pieces. And, that destruction opened a door I would have never thought to approach. While I feel hurt, and sometimes angry, I feel God’s presence even more. I am more confident in who He is because He has been constant through it all. He has remained the same.
I’m not sure I told my friend, but weeks before I had told God to destroy it all, to have his way in order to lead me where He would have me go. The destruction of things has really been the beginning of what is better. What I have seen as utter destruction, has really been the constructing of something better because God is so incredibly kind.
The best is yet to come, and I believe that to be true.
Scripture
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. (Isaiah 61:3, The Message)
Prayer
Father, in the middle of our pain, help us to see the beauty. Help us to trust you to turn ashes into beauty. Fill our hearts and minds with your promises, with the truth of who you are. Send us messages of joy, of hope. Regardless of the circumstances, may we praise your name, and worship you alone. Amen.
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