Beauty for Ashes

I'm writing from Tennessee today. From where, about a year ago, there were devastating fires that swept through the Smoky Mountains. As we drove through the mountains today, we saw so many different places that had been completely destroyed by the flames. Homes, businesses, vehicles, completely gone.

Then, we saw the beauty that had come from the ashes. Every piece of ground that had been burnt to ashes is now covered in beautiful, lush, green grass. Every tree that the fire nearly destroyed had grown bright green and yellow leaves. All brand new growth that has sprung forth from a dry place of death and darkness.

Sometimes, we have to go through the same process spiritually. When we go through places where we see nothing but destruction and darkness, it's easy for us to believe that there's no life that can come from it. I'm a living testimony that it can and will.

Even when we don't understand, God has a plan. Even when we feel like we've lost everything that ever meant anything to us, God has a plan. Even when we can't see past the clouds of smoke from things that have burned down in our lives, God has a plan. Even when all we see when we look around are ashes from what once was, God has a plan. Even when all we feel are the pains of what we've lost, God has a plan.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:3‭-‬4 KJV

No matter what you've lost, no matter what has been destroyed, no matter what has been taken from you, no matter what, God is sovereign. He will take every broken piece of the life you used to know and create something SO MUCH greater. He will take the ashes of the old you, the old wastes, the former desolations and REPAIR, RESTORE, REVIVE and REVITALIZE.

NEW beauty will come out of all you've walked through. NEW life will come out of all that passed away. He will give you a NEW heart, free of those broken places. He will erase the scars of your past.

Will you give him your heart? Will you allow him to make you new again? Let him give you beauty for your ashes! 💕