Today’s devotional: finding beauty amidst brokenness
Can beauty come out of brokenness? When you or a loved one is reeling from an illness, injury, or a personal loss, it feels difficult (or even offensive) to talk about finding beauty in the midst of pain. But many people and events in the Bible illustrate God’s startling ability to bring out moments of grace and beauty out of even the most wrenching despair. In this Slice of Infinity devotional, Jill Carattini writes:
Beauty in brokenness? Without glorifying suffering, there is an unexpected beauty that can shine through stories of struggle. One friend is a paraplegic broken in the use of her body, and yet she has a beautiful spirit. Not limited by her brokenness, she uses her own difficulties to help others, and teach others about true ability and disability. Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary, considered his cancer a “calling” and for an article written in Christianity Today said, “We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out. But despite this—because of it—God offers the possibility of salvation and grace.”(1) That possibility of salvation and grace is beauty in brokenness.
Somehow, uniquely, God desires to use those difficult moments of our lives to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful. Even the natural creation attests to this truth. In fall, we marvel at the gorgeous, lush colors of burnt amber, burnished orange, brilliant red, and bright yellow leaves, even as that beauty belies the slow and gradual death of those leaves. Winter buries those leaves under the cold, dark blanket of snow and frost. And yet, death brings forth life. Spring bursts forth year after year with jonquils, iris, lilies, and all the beautiful pastels of new life.
Carattini points to the Israelite king David’s well-documented despair and suffering as an example of pain from which God brought something beautiful.
What about you? Are you struggling to keep afloat amidst pain, loss, or other setbacks? The closing words of this devotional challenge you to put your hope in Christ:
Today, if you are experiencing hardship, difficulty or personal darkness, seek the light and beauty of Christ, for he longs to be present to you, to give you a garland of beauty instead of ashes, to call you by name, and to bring forth treasures of darkness. He is there in the brokenness with you.
Can beauty come out of brokenness? When you or a loved one is reeling from an illness, injury, or a personal loss, it feels difficult (or even offensive) to talk about finding beauty in the midst of pain. But many people and events in the Bible illustrate God’s startling ability to bring out moments of grace and beauty out of even the most wrenching despair. In this Slice of Infinity devotional, Jill Carattini writes:
Beauty in brokenness? Without glorifying suffering, there is an unexpected beauty that can shine through stories of struggle. One friend is a paraplegic broken in the use of her body, and yet she has a beautiful spirit. Not limited by her brokenness, she uses her own difficulties to help others, and teach others about true ability and disability. Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary, considered his cancer a “calling” and for an article written in Christianity Today said, “We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out. But despite this—because of it—God offers the possibility of salvation and grace.”(1) That possibility of salvation and grace is beauty in brokenness.
Somehow, uniquely, God desires to use those difficult moments of our lives to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful. Even the natural creation attests to this truth. In fall, we marvel at the gorgeous, lush colors of burnt amber, burnished orange, brilliant red, and bright yellow leaves, even as that beauty belies the slow and gradual death of those leaves. Winter buries those leaves under the cold, dark blanket of snow and frost. And yet, death brings forth life. Spring bursts forth year after year with jonquils, iris, lilies, and all the beautiful pastels of new life.
Carattini points to the Israelite king David’s well-documented despair and suffering as an example of pain from which God brought something beautiful.
What about you? Are you struggling to keep afloat amidst pain, loss, or other setbacks? The closing words of this devotional challenge you to put your hope in Christ:
Today, if you are experiencing hardship, difficulty or personal darkness, seek the light and beauty of Christ, for he longs to be present to you, to give you a garland of beauty instead of ashes, to call you by name, and to bring forth treasures of darkness. He is there in the brokenness with you.
