To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3

It was standing tall on the shelf in the antique store, as I browsed around. Once, cherished Items were now being recycled to another generation. The tall metal container had a double cross on it, and sat next to a bugle and a military cap.  I asked the owner what it was and so began a fascination of an object from another time.

Made in World War I, the shell casing had been turned into trench art. The piece of art was made by a soldier, while he sat day in and day out at war .  I held a piece of history in my hand, and I longed to know the story behind the person who had made it. 

I tried to imagine what that soldier had experienced, and wondered what his thoughts and mental state was, as he fought a battle and hoped to return home.  

Did creating this piece of art keep his mind off the horrors surrounding war?  Was it therapeutic? Did it keep boredom and fear away? As days went by and he waited for the next battle, did he pray to God?  Was he singing praises?  Did he read God’s promises and hold to his faith? 

Was there an element of redemption in turning something used to kill into a beautiful work of art? Molding the shell casing into a new creation caused it to be unusable in future combat.  God had not only prepared this soldier for battle, but gave him a gift of bringing beauty from ashes.   

That shell casing now sits on my mantle as a reminder.  We all face battles.  But God is with us.    The piece is a symbol and metaphor for so many things God does for us.  

• God is in the business of restoring us.
• He takes and molds us into his image.
• In our weakness He is strong,
• We become a new creation in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We are completely different than what we were before.  He heals our brokenness. In circumstances that we think are impossible He makes a way.  What a beautiful exchange He allows. Let us all bring our hurts and hang ups to him, and see what amazing things He can do.