To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So, they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

Isaiah paints the picture that our sin made us crimson red, yet we can be as white as snow. Picture that! From bright red to pure as white (and without blemish). That’s the power of grace. Your past does not define you. It will shape you, determine some consequences, and potentially cause some future obstacles because we are human, but it will never trump God’s vision of who we are and where we are going. Fight any hold the past may have over you and embrace the new creation God has fashioned in His strong hands. Your purpose moving forward from this point requires you accepting God’s grace and walking in the freedom He has given you from slavery.

When God puts us back together there’s more than an external picture of being put back together like a broken vase, or the cleansing of red to white. God does an internal working in our heart, soul, and mind that is a healing of sorts as well. He wants to reach down into the innermost parts of your soul where no one else can go to mend and fill with grace. To rid you of shame, guilt, sorrow, pain, insecurity, and more. These are works only God can do; no human has the ability to fill your void and depths of the heart.

Your broken can be restored. Sorrow can turn into joy. Empty can be filled. Worthless can be valued. Not good enough can be desired. Ashamed can fade and confidence can arise. God has a plan for you regardless of your past choices, upbringing, culture, treatment, and projected image of who you are. Because God sees His child when He looks at you and sees someone of immense value. With value comes purpose. Isaiah 61:3 paints a beautiful picture that God wants to give you a crown of beauty for ashes. To take the brokenness of your past and use it for something glorious.

May all the hurt of my past be brought to the cross. -MT