Beauty for Ashes

By: Lola Oni

Friday, October 24, 2025

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. Isaiah 40:26 (NLT)

Nothing can compare to the splendor of God's immortal attributes! Scripture tells us the heavens declare His glory; and the skies proclaim the work of His hands (Psalm 19:1). He does allow us to choose whether we'll obey Him, but no matter what, His sovereignty is superior to our ideas, choices, and agendas.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13 (NLT)

Compared to God, our ways are feeble, and we are far from perfect. But God reconciled us to Himself by grace and through Jesus, which makes us perfect in His sight! The moment we believed in Jesus and asked Him to be the Lord of our life we were reconciled to the Father. We can't earn or purchase our salvation; this offer of eternal restoration is a gift only obtained by grace.

After God rescued us, He started calling us to higher purposes... His purposes! He isn't just the author of our story; He is the finisher of it too! Our obedience opened the door for Him to work in us and through us for His glory. No matter what happens in our lives, God is always in control. When life gets tough, we must remember that He is sovereign over every circumstance, including those difficult ones we don't like.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

When we trust God and anchor our faith on His unfailing promises, His supremacy will protect us. But He may use adversity to build up our character and make us more like Him. Trust God! He will use every opportunity (including our freewill choices) as part of His plans for us. While we wait on His return, we must be mindful of every circumstance we are placed in. What might seem ordinary to us is part of God's bigger picture and His master plan.

Seek God's face and ask Him for wisdom. If submitting your will (your choices) to God seems difficult, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Walking in obedience to the Lord allows us to step into the plans He has prepared for us!