Scripture:
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. Isaiah 61:3b KJV
At recycling plants, things that have been rejected, broken, used and discarded, are given a new lease on life. Sometimes, they're turned into completely different items than their original form. For example, a glass bottle can be recycled and turned into a lamp. A pair of unworthy slippers can be changed into a bag. There are many possibilities for the item that was once rejected and thrown away. That's how God puts our lives back together and makes something beautiful and meaningful out of it. He's not doing it just to make us better versions but to glorify his name. For people to see us and go "wow what a quantum leap". And our response will be "God's grace touched me". At God's recycling plant, he is able to recycle our brokenness, rejections, our disappointment, the dust and ashes of life into beauty. How he will do it, is a divine mystery and not our concern; the end result is our advantage. In God's hands, there are no damaged goods. In the Master's hands everything is worthy and beautiful. He can recycle brokenness, pain and loss. He can replace the spirit of heaviness with joy. He can bring a turban of praise instead of ashes. In God's hands, anything is possible. May we hand our lives over to God and watch him turn us into living wonders for his glory.
Let’s pray: Father, transform my life. Recycle my broken bits and turn them into objects of beauty. Amen
