Broken Into Beautiful: A 3-Day DevotionalSample

Beauty From Ashes: Restored Not Repainted

It took Leonardo da Vinci 4 years to paint The Last Supper and after centuries of deterioration and subsequent attempts to “fix” it, it eventually took 20 years to restore it. The problems were many, and most of them were with the “fixing” process rather than the painting’s less than perfect condition. Early attempts to fix it were done using solvents and oil paint, both causing harm not restoration. Others “touched it up,” trying to cover the blank spots or sanitise the content, even make it more contemporary. It wasn’t until restorers took time to uncover the original design and materials that they were truly able to restore the painting to its intended glory.

I think this illustrates what we often try to do with our brokenness. We try to fix it because we mistakenly think we can. We cover over the mistakes, sanitise the unacceptable parts and fill in the blank spots because we think (again mistakenly), that is what will produce beauty from brokenness. There is only One, however, that can truly create beauty from ashes, and He is the One we need to surrender that process to. Imagine if Leonardo himself could have restored The Last Supper! How much more ought we trust the Master to restore His masterpiece, our lives.

He knows the original design and materials, and only He has access to restore that to our lives. Note that restoring is not starting over. It’s not throwing out or painting over the original canvas. The restorer does not judge or condemn, discard, or destroy the work, no matter how damaged or broken. They painstakingly peel back the layers of damage, and attempt to “fix” it, to uncover the original and reveal the true intention and glory of the masterpiece, and, more importantly, the Master Artist.

That is how and why He causes, “everything to work together for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28).” Nothing is beyond His restorative powers. He can bring beauty from our ashes, glory from our troubles, and strength in our weakness. He restores, He doesn’t repaint. That means every part of our story is continually woven into His story. He doesn’t erase our brokenness. He lovingly and tenderly heals us and restores us, and He also weaves our brokenness into beauty. Our past is part of the Masterpiece, not in competition with it. That’s how He gets the glory. Who else could truly turn broken into beautiful!

Is there any part of your story that you have felt you couldn’t bring to God? Is there any part of your life that you have been trying to “fix,” or “repaint,” in your own strength and striving? Could you talk to God about it today and invite Him to restore it, not repaint it?