Greatest beauty is often formed in dark places.
Many times we want to shine, without the pain and uncertainty of what the hard stuff brings. We long to reflect beauty without the glaring weakness of deep cracks that line our stories and fill us with holes. We want to cover what was broken and scarred, masking the struggles of a past that took us down difficult pathways. And yet, embracing the beauty of the broken is what enables us to live free.
Really free. With greater purpose. Changed hearts. And renewed vision.
She looked closely at my hand that wears my wedding ring, turning it round and round. It glistened in the sunlight, catching rays that made it shine. "Mom, is this real?"
"Yes, it's real," I answered.
"Did it cost a lot?"
"Diamonds do cost a lot."
Because things crafted during dark times often bring great treasure...
Deep within the depths of the earth, where no one can see but God alone, rough edges are hewn, raw beauty is formed from crushing pressures and intense heat.
Diamonds are created.
With cracks and crevices that shape its existence, the master craftsman adds his touches, cutting lines through its flawed state, polishing, perfecting, enabling this treasure to most beautifully reflect the rays of the sun. The lines, the crevices, the cracks, are what allow diamonds to reflect the most light.
Under the careful hand of the craftsman, held up in the light of the sun, they glimmer, and shine, and sparkle, refined.
Deep in our darkness, we think no one sees. But God sees. He knows. And He is building greatness. Rough edges hewn. Raw. Real. Lasting. New things come, from the heat, the pressure, the darkness. All elements of what it takes to bring lasting beauty. The cracks and scars allow us to most beautifully reflect His light.
And under the careful hand of our Master Craftsman, held up in the light of His Son, we glimmer, and shine, and sparkle, refined.
Don't ever doubt that He is with you through the greatest times of darkness. Bringing purpose and beauty through it all. He's never forgotten. He's still in control. He calls you by name.
A new day dawns...and He has good in store...for you.
Shine on.
11 Verses of Hope, that remind us God is faithful, and can bring good through the darkest times:
"I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name." Is. 45:3
“Arise shine, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…” Isaiah 60:1
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:7-9
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.…” James 1:2-3
“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 2 Cor. 2:9
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory…forever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" Ps. 91:1-2
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's facebook page, DebbieWebbMcDaniel, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also at Twitter and Web Site.