Guest Post: Brokenness + God = Beauty

Since a very young age, I have always been fascinated by the stained glass windows found  within the states. The stories of Jesus show forth proudly as the new day sun shines through. Casting the dark reds, and deep blues upon the faces of the congregation as they eagerly listen to the words of their shepherd. Small children investigate the photos of Christ in His ministry on earth, remembering the tales of Christ that they so often hear from their parents: the feeding of the 5,000, Christ's birth, death and resurrection. Though it may seem childish, I still enjoy spending my time looking at stained glass windows and maybe the reason behind my love of them is knowing how much they show my own story. 

Stained glass windows must be made of broken glass. A whole sheet of glass can not be made into a beautiful mosaic. It would work as a simple window, yet would never be used for a master work to be done. It must be shattered to pieces. In the same way, God cannot make an artwork out of my life, unless I am willing and submitting to His hand. At times, His hand will pound and even shatter you. However, this is only done to bring about a beautiful masterpiece. 

Once a piece of glass is shattered, it is then pieced back together. Piece by piece is glued into place. Not to portray the greatness of the glass, but to bring forth a greater purpose to the brokenness. The purpose of beauty and to tell another's tale. Once broken, I too am healed by Christ. HE slowly, painstakingly works on my story. Yet instead of creating a piece of art of my story, HE creates an artwork that shouts forth His praises. 

Lastly, unless the stained glassed window is willing to allow the light to shine upon every crevice, the beauty will not shine forth. I also must allow God's searchlight of truth to shine upon me. For if I don't, the beauty that He created will remain hidden and shadowed from everyone, even myself. 
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I don't know, reader, what broken places are in your past, present, and near future. Maybe the death of a parent, an unwanted diagnosis, or a struggle with a sin. Would you allow the master artist to create a mosaic of your brokenness? For you are only a sheet of glass; who are you to tell the Creator what is to be done? 

"But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”
~Romans 9:20 (NIV 84)

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About the Author

Eliza Downer, a teacher by day and writer by night, can often be found hiking in nearby mountain ranges or sipping a cup of coffee. She currently resides in Colorado with her parents and 10 siblings. To read more of her writings on life visit her blog, Window Into My World.