If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NCV)

In oceans all over the world, thousands of pounds of glass are rolling around in the water. Bottles and jars that had been carelessly discarded in oceans, or simply left on beaches,  essentially get recycled by the sea. Worn by the waves, each piece of broken glass no longer resembles what was discarded. It is refined by being tossed around. It is made beautiful by spending time in the rough sand and waves. Ordinary broken glass is given new life as sea glass. Once jagged and sharp, now frosted and smooth. In hues of amber, pink, blue, or green, all that brokenness now looks more like a work of art. It is valuable, it is treasured, and it is truly extraordinary. And when you hold it up to the light, the light shines right through.

Life can often leave us feeling like broken shards of useless, discarded glass. Sometimes we even cut others with our words, hurt them our rough edges: our selfishness, our pride, our rage, our fear. Fortunately for us, God gives us new life. He allows us to be scratched up by some rough waves and sand. He uses those opportunities, those painful struggles in our lives, to smooth away our heart’s ugliness, to tumble off the jagged edges that cut and sting. Like sea glass, it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of refining, of polishing, to smooth us down until our hearts are beautiful works of art. 

If you are in a season of rough waves, getting tossed around and scratched up by the unpredictable surf, remember that Jesus is with you in every one. He’s given you new life. You are valuable and treasured and truly extraordinary. Lean into Him and let Him shape you, let Him refine you, right in the middle of the storm. He is transforming you; He is taking what is broken and making something truly beautiful. Something His love and His light will shine right through! You are loved!