Beauty Out of Ashes

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

 

It sounded like gunshots. Then an explosion. By the time I raced out the door, part of the backyard had already gone up in flames. It looked like an inferno as I stood there, helpless.

With two utility sheds side by side, one caused the incident. Before the fire department could get to our home and get the flames under control, the other shed caught fire as well.

You see it on TV and in the movies. You read about it happening in other far-off places but never think it can happen to you. That’s why the Bible tells us to be alert. To be aware that the Enemy’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.

In 1 Peter 5:11 (MSG) we read:

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

God, indeed, always gets the last word. Although we lost much, we have even more to be thankful for. It wasn’t our home. No one got hurt. My husband (who had just been in the shed moments earlier) was not inside when it happened. Our chickens survived (their coop was slightly down the hill from the first shed). The woods behind our house didn’t catch fire. Our motorhome got moved before it could catch fire and explode. We had an outpouring of help and support from our neighbors.

Once again, God protected our family from potential disaster. And He promises to work all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28) as we deal with the aftermath and the insurance company.

Whatever you’re facing today, trust the Lord. He makes beauty out of ashes.