stained
There is beauty in the broken. Have you ever looked at a stained glass window and marvelled at the different pieces that make it unique and beautiful? That’s something like our lives. We are all broken, have been hurt and are pieces of different parts of who we are, but when we put them together, we are a work of art. Our creator is the potter and we are the clay.
There is also the stain of sin in our lives and yet, Jesus took all of those bloody messes, screw ups, mistakes and forgave us to create a new spirit in us. How beautiful is that?
Stained glass painting began over 1.000 years ago. The actual term “stained” comes from the silver stain that was applied to the side of the window facing the outside of a building. When the glass was fired, this silver stain turned a yellowy color ranging from gold to lemon and the stained glass was used to let the light shine through a painting. The large stained glass windows for churches is evident today from the Renaissance in Europe.
Glass panes were too expensive for the average person and it wasn’t until the late 1400’s that middle class and wealthy people started putting them in their homes. They were often smaller panels that would celebrate the history of the family, be amusing or showing instruction. But always, the light shines through.
Isn’t it amazing that God shines HIs light through us. There is no cost because Jesus paid for our sins. As we approach the season of Easter, we think about what He did for us. Each of us shows a different picture from what he’s done in our lives - all the colors of our lives - all the different nations and races and peoples - were created to glorify Him. God wants to shine through us.
This third I will put into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
Zechariah 13:9
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. To many people, that really doesn’t mean anything. To others, it is the reminder that we are human and have a physical expiry date and that we need to connect with God and be reconciled to him. March 2nd marks the beginning of Lent, which is often observed with fasting or giving something up from now until Easter or April 14th this year. It’s a 40 day journey. Before Jesus started his public ministry, he spend 40 days in the desert. Are you ready to take your journey and be reminded of what He did for you? Let this season be one to let the light shine brightly in our dark world.