In a land of destruction, borne of fire and ash, beauty has risen. It’s risen not only in spite of harshness, but because of it. This landscape, which is seemingly filled with uninhabitable soil, is actually an ideal environment for life to thrive.
Mt. Rainier is considered to be an “episodically active” volcano, experiencing about twenty small earthquakes a year. Yet, it is home to some of the most beautiful forests and wildflower-filled meadows I’ve ever seen.
“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” Isaiah 61:3a.
Are you in mourning? Have you lost something or someone who meant the world to you? Has devastation come upon you? I’ve been hurt in this life, and maybe you have too. But there has not been one instance in my life where beauty and blessing have not eventually emerged from the ashes and mourning. And I have come to praise the Lord for what I once considered reason for despair.
Our God is a God of redemption. It is His very nature to bring life from death and give us reason to trust Him in everything.
