Isaiah 61:3 – 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. (NIV)

I have taken up a new hobby: stained glass mosaics. Mosaics are pictures or patterns made up from small bits of stone or glass. The nice thing about this hobby is that it requires only leftover pieces of glass, which makes it quite affordable, compared to regular stained glass art. It also offers a challenge, which I enjoy, as I carefully pick my way through mounds of broken shards and chunks, seeking just the right colour in the right size and shape for the design that I am creating. With each new piece, as it is set into place, my picture becomes more and more of a reality, until at last, it is complete and beautifully whole — a brilliant gem against a sun-washed window.

Our lives in Christ are much like stained glass mosaics, for He, too, works wonders with leftovers: leftover broken hearts and lives, minds, bodies, and spirits. When we humbly choose to trust and offer Him the pieces of our brokenness, He carefully and lovingly picks and chooses amidst it all, until bit by bit, He creates a brand new and beautiful thing within our lives. For indeed, as Isaiah has penned, He is able to bestow "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."

I should know, for this is exactly what He has done for me and is only too glad to do for you, too, if only you will let Him.

Prayer: Father God, what a marvel that You are, to be able to take our brokenness and reshape it into a thing of beauty and goodness. Bless us with humble and trusting hearts today as we offer ourselves anew to You. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
Send your feedback to the author