I found a piece of sea glass and placed it on the shelf in a special place. At one time it was unwanted broken glass, someone threw into the ocean. I would never have given it a place on my shelf.

This sea glass has been through a lot. Ocean currents may have carried it for miles. Tides probably carried it into shore and back out, countless times. Wave action, on sandy or rocky shores, tumbled it repeatedly. Over and over it turned and scraped the ocean floor. Sharp edges were ground away by sand and rocks. Salt in the water, produced a frosted surface. Sunlight reacted with the glass and changed its color. Chemicals in the water leached out impure substances in the glass and caused tiny pitting and etching of the surface.

Many people walk the shores searching for sea glass, celebrating the find of even the tiniest piece. The smooth, colorful glass is collected and often made into jewelry. Why was that glass—once thrash—now a collectable? All the buffeting, sanding, pitting action, and baking in the sun, has turned that unwanted broken glass into a treasure.

Some of us felt unwanted and thrown away like trash. We were broken by tragedy, buffeted by the waves and currents of life. Years of struggle has worn off our sharp points, smoothing and softening our edges. The hard surface we once had has gained a frosted glow. We were tossed by the waves and carried along in the currents for years. Then one day, we landed on the beach as God’s treasure.

The difference is, God never threw us away. Trash may be what we thought of ourselves, but God never did. We were always His treasure. He sent the waves, the currents, the salt, and sand, with the intention of rounding our edges, softening our surface, recreating us into the priceless gem He can use.

Others see the change, because we stand out as a reflection of our Creator. Shining in God’s glory, we emerge from the midst of the sand and debris on the shore.

We are told, in the Bible, struggles are God’s way of refining us. We lean into Him as we’re buffeted and tossed, and learn to rely on His strength in the polishing process.

1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” 4:16 “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”

James 1:3 “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”