God is the expert at taking our messes and pain and uppcycling them into something beautiful. But there will come a day when He stops. Lisa explains.
” He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecc. 3:11).
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” (Revelation 21:4,5a).
It has been about five weeks since I had my hammer toes straightened and other bones removed from my feet when my husband how long it would take for the swelling in my foot to be “normal.”
“Months,” I replied. Having had this a couple years ago on my other foot I realize that it takes 6-12 for my toes to find their new normal. “It is a good thing you didn’t marry me for my cute feet,” I joked.
I recently chose the two scriptures above for some new watercolor pendant designs, and these two scriptures got me thinking of how God creates. Ecclesiastes says “He makes everything beautiful in His time.” When I read this it makes me think of how–despite the appearance of certain things, eventually God will do something with it.
For example, I know I will never have pretty feet. After foot surgery two years ago on my right foot I was supposed to have a decent looking foot at last. Instead, one toe decided to overlap another and the doctor said to just leave it alone because it was actually new bone growth and had already fused itself.
And my foot turns blue daily–blue enough from Raynaud’s syndrome that on Christmas Eve my sister said “we need to get you to the hospital!” So . . . no pretty feet for me. But there is beauty being able to walk. When I get up I am grateful I can put two feet on the ground. It takes time but eventually circumstances change or how we view them change.
In Revelations, however, God makes all things new. Brand new! We will be new. I won’t be Lisa 2.0. We won’t be recycled, upcyled, or renovated. We won’t be refurbished, restored, or rehabilitated. It will be as if there was never sin–which includes fear, grief, anger–none of it.
Prayer: Lord, it is hard to imagine truly being brand new. When I look at the years of medications, therapies, surgeries, and other efforts to giving me a body that does not have wear, I consider the body you will give me some day. But my dreams are often as simple as the freedom to move without pain, the absence of some of the limitations. I can’t comprehend having a body that is brand new and a spirit that has not known pain. Thank You for this incomprehensible gift. May I cling to it in comfort on hard days. Amen.
About the author:
Lisa Copen founded Rest Ministries in 1996 and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993. As her disease has progressed to a new normal this year she is struggling to know how to continue to hope for more decades of joy, while also recognizing that her body will continue to break down at a fast pace unless the Lord intervenes. She continues to search out joy in RM, her husband who runs Gutsy Goodness, their jewelry business, and homeschooling her son.
When you compare the 2 scriptures above about “everything beautiful in its time” and God making “all things new” what reflections do you have?
Lisa, very beautiful, and do true. I’m looking forward to that day myself, no used parts, nothing that malfunctions. etc. Lol
Praying for you and all here.
Blessings, Di
I can’t imagine all that you’re going through Lisa! OUCH!
Thank you for the reminder of what is to come when we have our new bodies! WOO HOOOOOO! I can’t wait to dance & sing again…. oh how I miss that! To sing with the angels & dance with my Lord….. no words suffice to explain how beautiful that will be!
It will be soooo good to meet up with you in heaven & all here from RM! What joy that will be. Thanks again for all you’re doing behind the scenes, while still recovering from surgery. You’re a blessing Lisa. LOTSoluv Kerryn
I know the hammer toe pain but no insurance to fix it or the two toes that are training their selves to move years of pain. Then this year the other toe is starting. Blue feet is common a fall and fused vertebrae in lower back in 1999 now right hip more pain and slight curved upper spine as child causing much pain. March new DR added Bipolar and PTSD. So changed all my medications. My 13 yr grandson said, Nana you’re not as old as dads mom you can still move and fast and do things. Could you please make me some of your Mac and cheese. Tears yesterday were happy ones and much needed. We head into the 90’s and humidity here in mid West. Lisa, thank you!! I’m always praying for you and this has been the first of even my Bible I’ve been able to read in months. So very encouraging. God bless you and my eyes are on Him and positives of this day!
Hi Lisa,
Your message brought this verse to mind:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7).
Together awaiting our new pain-free bodies,
Vicki