During my sister-in-law’s lengthy hospital stay, battling an advanced form of cancer, our family spent many hours in a “family room” just down the hall from her room. We befriended a family whose mother had been diagnosed with the same disease. When both women entered hospice within days of each other, the two families shared tears and hugs. As I talked with a daughter of the mother, she said their experience had been “brutiful”—both brutal and beautiful. Similar to my family’s experience, God’s love and light had consistently peeked through the darkness of their family’s grief and pain.
The people of Israel experienced a chilling darkness in their relationship with God due to the deadly spiritual disease of idolatry (Hosea 1:2). The prophet Hosea’s relationship with his wayward wife provided a real-life portrait of his nation’s rebellion against their Lord. When Gomer, the prophet’s wife, had three children, God told Hosea to name them Jezreel (“for I am about to punish King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel”), Lo-ruhamah (“not loved”), and Lo-ammi (“not my people”) (Hosea 1:4,6,9). Not exactly a happy trio of names!
But happiness was on the horizon, for God said, “What a day that will be—the day of Jezreel—when God will again plant his people in his land” (Hosea 1:11). Not only was Jezreel’s name redeemed, but God transformed the other two children’s names too: Ammi (“my people”) and Ruhamah (“the ones I love”).
God alone has the power and grace to allow us to experience beauty even when things are brutal. He alone allows us to see light and life as it peeks through the darkness. Seek Him and His “brutiful,” transforming ways even in the midst of your most difficult days.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 17:1-31
More:
Read Isaiah 61:3 and consider how God can bring beauty and joy even during desperate times.
Next:
How has God worked in “brutiful” ways in your life? How might He be transforming you in the midst of a trial you’re facing?
Gary Shultz on March 27, 2017 at 4:50 am
Hi Tom: I like the new word “brutiful”, can’t say the process is the greatest. You probably have ranking in the “brutiful” ascension list. In the nation of Israel the span to the promise would take many years and much of the promise is yet to be fulfilled. Israel sustained great losses because of their rebellion to their God. Thankfully in life, the cycle exist for an individual within that life time. It may not be because of rebellion, but life brings brutality to those who journey through it. He can also bring us to a time of beauty and peace. Of course your ingredients call for joy within the brutal. A shorter “life” version of the passage, but none the less anticipating the promise and care God has for us. At times that may mean the “ultimate healing” but most and many times we see God’s work inserted through life. As your account has also we share some of these times, and others we go alone, looking for the beauty in the brutal. Thanks Tom.
Tom Felten on March 27, 2017 at 8:16 am
Thanks for your thoughts, Gary. Yes, at times we share the brutal and beautiful path with others, while at other times it seems as if we walk it alone. But, in reality, praise God that we’re never truly alone. Even on the darkest of days, the One who said, “I will never fail you . . . I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5), walks with us.
gagirllive on March 27, 2017 at 11:41 am
Amen, Tom. This path seems to be God’s specialty. Like the beautiful scandalous cross of our precious Savior, joy and hope are born from our darkest nights. He’s working out His “brutiful” plan in my life right now. Sometimes it’s hard to see the good in what we’re experiencing. It’s been long and hard. Waiting is hard. Praying only to see things go from bad to worse is hard. Some days it seems my fire is about to flicker out. Still, I hope. Thanks for blowing a little fresh wind my way today…igniting the embers. 🙂 You’re a blessing.
Tom Felten on March 27, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Praying for you, gagirl. May you experience God’s presence and comfort in a special way today!
conmeo on March 27, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Hi Tom and fellow ODJ brothers and sisters. What a great word and thought you have created here. I myself am living through the brutal dark days of a broken relationship with what I thought was going to be the lifelong journey with the girl The Lord had provided for me after many years of prayer and patient waiting. But alas the beauty in this is still flowing in the realization that the Holy Spirit is filling me with a renewed desire to seek that which the Lord is giving right now, generously as always. Brutiful indeed! I am hearing a little clearer…. a little louder. As painful as it is. I am earnestly leaning forward to be still and listen. Gagagirl you continue to be in our prayers, may He comfort and guide you and your family. Thanks Gary for you daily output (great input to us!)
Peace be with you all!