Trading Sorrow for Joy (2); 2026; 16″ x 16″; mixed media: watercolor, acrylic, India ink, alcohol ink, chalk.
I still don’t really understand what happened that night in Zimbabwe a year ago, but I know that something shifted, some eternal truth took root. At the time, I knew that only painting would integrate the experience into the soil of my soul. So I painted drafts, studies, versions. I “think” this latest piece is the final… But then, truths like this take a lifetime to grow and prepare us for forever.
Exchanging
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
We bring our ashes, our charred remains. And somehow, as we enter His Presence, we find our hands lifting and releasing what wasn’t worth holding, our bodies beginning to sway, joy raining down. And into the worst that one human can do to another bursts a raging wildfire, started by the Greatest Exchange ever made – the willingness to lay down one’s life for another. And the sorrow and grief are burned away as we dance and laugh. Because He has now received the joy set before Him. And so, one day, shall we.
What ashes do you bring to God? Imagine releasing them into His hands. What do you sense, hear, see?
Pray: Describe to the Lord what you bring and what you hope to exchange it for. Then listen.
Pray for others: Who do you know who carries ashes and longs for beauty? Pray for them to sense God’s invitation to come closer.
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Colleen Briggs Images & Writing 