Beauty In Ashes

A friend and former student of mine, Jim May, is a veteran missionary to Japan. He and his family have lived in the Tokyo area for a number of years. We have prayed for them and followed their experiences very closely especially since the March 11 devastation in Japan. PTL they are safe and are continuing to minister in a country that has been rocked by this disaster. The Lord has really protected them, especially since Jim's wife and daughter had just returned from the U.S. the day before. They also relocated for about ten days out of concern for the radiation and their children. Daily we read about the huge number of deaths, the staggering numbers of those who are forced to vacate their homes, probably permanently, because of the nuclear radiation, and the numbers of those who have not even been located. Yet, in the midst of this disaster, many are trying to go on with their lives. Jim recently posted pictures on Facebook of his youngest daughter's first day in kindergarten. It was a special day of joy for their family. And he also posted beautiful pictures of the cherry blossom season and Japanese people holding traditional cherry tree viewing parties in their parks. These are held at the request of the government out of respect for the dead and for those currently hurting. I love cherry blossoms and to see beautiful pictures of these in the midst of disaster is very special. I can't help but think how this pictures the way Christ can give new life and new hope to individuals who are lost in sin. Beauty in ashes. The old song by Bill Gather says "He made something beautiful out of my life." But cherry blossoms are short lived. Our cherry tree at our house will lose its beautiful blossoms in just a few days, especially if we have wind or rain. Jim said that one man in the news said this: "Thinking about how these people living normal lives suddenly disappeared, you can't escape the feeling that humans, like flowers, are transient things." James says that our lives are like "a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes." Our next breath and tomorrow are not guaranteed. Each breath and each day is a gift of God's grace and we need to redeem the hours and live for Him. So as you view for a few days the beautiful flowering cherry trees, remember the people of Japan, their physical and spiritual needs. Remember the shortness of our lives and our need to be about the work of the Lord. And remember that just as the trees are blooming beautifully in the midst of untold disaster in Japan, Christ can bring new life and beauty to a life controlled by sin. That is a message we need to share in these troubled times.