Beauty Will Rise

Beauty is so prevalent in each of our lives. Sometimes we choose not to see it, sometimes we see it but don't appreciate it, but more often than not we focus on ourselves and miss it altogether. When we take the time to look around and see the beauty that is all around us, we see it in every single thing. Every person is beautiful, whatever shape and size they are. Every tree, plant, even rock. It's not simply because of the physical aspect, it's the fact that it was created by God.

Pain is so prevalent in each of our lives. The type of pain may be different, but nonetheless, it's there. That pain can be so overwhelming that it can look like our saving grace. What it looks like and what it actually is, are two very different things. That "saving grace" can mean the end to the gift God has freely given you, life. Pain is not a thing to be dwelt upon, it can turn you bitter, sad, depressed and broken in so many places. But that pain can also be a thing to change how you live your life. For me, pain shows me how much more I need Jesus. Every experience that I know I can't handle, reminds me of how much I can't handle this life on my own.

I'm not usually one for songs speaking to me but there have been a couple this week where the lyrics really spoke to my heart.

Strong Enough by Matthew West

You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through

Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us

Well, maybe
Maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up

Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Cause I'm broken
Down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God
and you are strong
When I am weak

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Oh, yeah

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
Strong enough

Beauty Will Rise by Steven Curtis Chapman

It was the day the world went wrong
I screamed til my voice was gone
And watched through the tears as everything
Came crashing down

Slowly panic turns to pain
As we awake to what remains
And sift through the ashes
That are left behind

But buried deep beneath
All our broken dreams we have this hope

Out of these ashes beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of these ashes beauty will rise
For we know joy is coming in the morning
In the morning, beauty will rise

So take another breath for now
And let the tears come washing down
And if you can't believe, I will believe for you

Cause I have seen the signs of spring
Just watch and see

Out of these ashes beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of these ashes beauty will rise
For we know joy is coming in the morning
In the morning

I can hear it in the distance
And it's not too far away
It's the music and the laughter
Of a wedding and a feast
I can almost feel the hand of God
Reaching for my face to wipe the tears away
You say it's time to make everything new
Make it all new

This is our hope
This is a promise
This is our hope
This is a promise

It will take our breath away
To see the beauty that's been made
Out of the ashes, out of the ashes

It will take our breath away
To see the beauty that He's made
Out of the ashes, out of the ashes

Out of these ashes
Beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of this darkness
New light will shine
And we'll know the joy that's coming in the morning
In the morning
Beauty will rise

Oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise
 

The italicized part of the songs are the lines that really spoke to my heart. So much of the time, I have to be the strong one. I have this idea that people need me to be that, and when I'm alone, then I can show my feelings. But for some reason, I forget that God don't give me more than I can handle with Him. He's so awesome to do that! We don't deserve it, but he tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. And even in the pain, beauty will rise from the ashes. Those truths are enough to take my breath away.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 
Matthew 11: 28-30

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 
1 Corinthians 1:8-9 

Each of us have times in our lives, when we are overwhelmed, when we want to give up, when we want to give into the pain and let it be our "saving grace." In reality, our real saving grace, is Jesus Christ. He is the one that brings your beauty up from the ashes. Will you let him?