Sea Glass Treasures

We have all broken glass before. When something as breakable and fragile as glass falls onto a hard surface, the outcome is it shaders. Haven't you ever cringed at the ear splitting sound of glass breaking? Or slowly opened your eyes to find a pile of sharp glass pieces? I think we all have. As they say, “Accidents happen.” 

Once upon a time, I was vacationing to Outer Banks, NC. The gritty sand, unique shells, gentle breeze, and the salty waves were everything a beach should be. We even got to see wild horses on the beach! One of the things I noticed was that everyone seemed to collect sea glass just as much as the pretty shells. Why would you want to keep discarded glass pieces found on the shore?

 Because they saw beauty in the smooth broken glass.

Here’s how it works. Just like shells, once the broken, sharp glass is in the ocean, it’s controlled by the water. When the water is calm and peaceful, the glass rests on the ocean floor while the water gently rolls over it. This also means that when the wind stirs the water into angry waves, the glass is swept up right in the middle of things.

It is tossed and turned, this way and that, all the while being washed to shore. Somehow, as the glass travels from deep water to the shallow beach, it is changed. What once was a rigid, sharp glass edge, has now become smooth and polished. What once was a discarded, broken piece of trash, has now become a treasure.

We are very much like sea glass. We are sinners, sharp and broken sinners. We live in a world of waves. Sometimes when things are calm and peaceful, we sink to the ocean floor and rest comfortably. Nothing messes with us down there, we think we are safe and like the way things are. We are in our comfort zone. We don’t want to change. 

But other times, when trials come our way, we are swept up in those waves. Tossed and turned. We try fighting it, but the current is to strong. It is uncomfortable and we feel like we are at the end of our rope. We think we can’t go on any longer, that there is no hope.

Rejoice! Count it all joy. Because there is hope! Hope in the Lord. God is the One who is in control. Be patient and trust the One who knows the biggest picture. Talk to God, tell Him you fiercest wave. Give it to God. Let go! If we trust in Him, it doesn’t matter the size of the wave, let them crash around you. We have peace knowing that God is bigger. 

Romans 12:12 

“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”

Rejoice! Be Patient! Pray! Trust! Let Go! Have Peace!

Just like the sea glass, as the waves toss and turn getting closer to the shore, we are getting closer and closer to our shore- heaven. Once we reach that shore we will be smooth, polished, whole, and clean from sin. We have to go through all these trials in order to be smooth. We have to be tossed and turned until we realize that God is the only One who can help us. After we give our burdens to Him, after we trust in him, only then can we be changed. Only then can our brokenness become beautiful. Only then will we be found a true treasure!

We have a choice to make everyday in how we deal with our waves. Will we freak out and try to use our own strength? Or will we turn to God, trusting Him and giving Him our worries? 

Psalms 46:1-3

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling."

James 1:2-6 

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with our reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."