Crimson Leaf like Ash

2 beautiful wine-colored maple leaves, that appeared like ash, in their natural form

Crimson leaf,

Of Autumn’s vine,

Had fallen upon my path.

Yet as I looked closer,

It appeared,

To have suffered wrath.

This red-wine jewel,

So full of life,

Appeared to be burned, charred.

Though it was only an effect of nature,

Its beauty was forever marred.

But is it truly?

Or do you also see?

That the ash,

And the tears,

And the blemishes …

Bring out a sense of artistry?

Crimson heart,

Upon Calvary,

Your silhouette crosses my path.

Yet as I look closer,

It becomes clearer,

You suffered my sin’s wrath.

You were the perfect pearl,

Unblemished—

For me, You were scarred.

Your love is the beauty,

That time cannot mar.

So through the ash,

Through the tears,

I will surrender to Your artistry.

For my crimson heart,

Follows Yours, O God,

And it is my prayer,

That the silhouette of my life,

Be overshadowed,

By Your loving, gracious care.

These crimson leaves were lying in the grass. But as I moved them to the pavement to create a “canvas,” I noticed how they looked as if they had been singed by fire. Though it was just an illusion, it was a beautiful analogy for how life can feel to us, and a stunning reminder of what Jesus did for us. With His crimson blood, He took our place. His love and beauty were given in the form of scars, of wounds. And if we will follow Him, He will overshadow our lives with grace and forgiveness—enough to touch all of those—along our path.

When we become His child, we are not exempt from the ashes of life (Jesus wasn’t), but we will be constantly changed, refined. And in this process, His Spirit within us, designs a form of artistry. Though we may bear scars, we will also bear the image and the testimony, that beauty rises from dust. For every soul that belongs to Him will one day know no more tears, no more wounds—only wholeness, as we worship the purest heart—our beautiful Lord.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV

One crimson leaf touched by a blackened stain, reminded me … that by God’s grace, we are born-again.

John 3:3-7, 1 Peter 1:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Titus 3:5, Genesis 2:7

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