Beauty In The Ruins

I recently took the trip of a lifetime! The first stop of my seven-day family vacation was Paris, France. I spent most of the time gawking at all of the history and beauty. I was overcome with the realization that a little girl from the projects was standing in front of the Eiffel Tower! How could this be?

Forgive me, I digress. That’s another blog altogether! Back to the trip. After Paris, we boarded a plane for Rome, Italy! A three-hour tour of the Vatican made my heart fill with prayer, gratitude, and awe. From the handsewn tapestry on the walls of the palace to the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, again I found myself gawking. Let me get to the beauty in the ruins: The Flavian Amphitheatre also known as the Colosseum, Roma.

The Colosseum was built between 70 A.D and 72 A.D. It was used for entertainment purposes, most notably known as gladiator fights. In 1349, a great earthquake damaged the property causing it to partially collapse. After this, it endured more natural disasters as well as looting. Now it is a historical tourist site that draws people from all over the world.

Are you following me yet? In spite of the beaten and battered exterior, the Roman Colosseum still attracts 4.2 million tourists annually! Though the arena is not fully in tact, what remains is still beautiful. The history is not erased by the damage. The brilliant architecture can still be seen in the cracks. Standing inside the area, I am keenly aware that the stones around me had not lost their strength. Another earthquake could break the stones, but the falling pieces could still do plenty of damage on their own. I hope this makes sense.

You need to know that whatever you have gone through has not erased your beauty. It has only enhanced the strength and resilience that God placed in you. Like the Colosseum, you still have so much to offer the world. Take your eyes off the past and focus on the present. Embrace what was and admire what is! God has not forgotten you. He still sees beauty in the ruins!

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

Strengthen. Heal. Empower.

Featured Image by Vanessa Vanessa at Free Images