I am musing about..,,
Brokenness.
It can look, well....broken.
Because it is
It can not always be wrapped up with pretty paper and topped with a beautiful bow.
It can be hard. Ongoing. Messy.
In this fallen world, there are things that happen that leave destruction and heartache in their wake.
It is all around us.
Devastating, horrible, dark brokenness.
The fall changed everything.
It ushered in the need for a Savior.
To save this world, all the nations, every tribe. You. And me.
Sometimes personal challenges are hard and sourced from our own sin. Yet, sometimes the challenges are simply due to the brokenness of the world we live in.
Sometimes what is broken can't be fixed. At least not on this side of heaven, or in our way or time frame.
Not in the material sense. Not in what the eye beholds or the brain registers.
But, in the heart, as those affected look to and lean into Jesus, He saves them from the despair and gives them a peace and a joy they could never have imagined. And there-in lies the redeeming touch of our Savior. And it is beautiful!
So when we see the brokenness of the world around us, the messes of those we love or of our neighbors (in the Scriptural sense of the word), may we pray to do our part...
Be there.
Be a safe place.
Love them. Let them know we are here for them.
That can be a hard thing to do.
Why can it be so hard? Well, for one thing, we don't always know what to say. That is okay. Be there anyway.
It is out of our comfort zone. Yes, But God will give you comfort as you lean on Him and step into that zone.
We might get rejected. Our outreach might be refused. Try to be okay with that. Don't take it personally. Recognize that their refusal needs to be met in your heart with love, understanding and prayer.
Pray. Of course. Always pray. It matters so much more then we can imagine. Oh the stories we all have heard of God's powerful intervention in astounding ways after time of diligent, surrendered prayer!
Wait. On the Lord.
Time changes things, because God's ways take time. I recently talked with someone about her journey through brokenness. It took time, years, but God was merciful and present through it all. There are still parts of her story that remain in the "repair shop". But she now has a powerful, faith strengthening testimony and useful insight to share with others.
Accept that consequences to brokenness can be painful, hard and at times ongoing.
Share of God's faithfulness in the long run. Share gently, humbly and prayerfully.
Know that this world is not our home.
We are here to help make the ugly beautiful. Or at least make it bearable.
To instill and renew hope. To lean into Jesus and encourage others to as well.
Sometimes things clean up beautifully. The paper is lovely and the bow is amazing!
But sometimes things can stay not so pretty.
But thank the Lord....He is there through it all.
Let us be there too. As He leads. Let's be there for others....
In their brokenness.
(Like we want and need them to be there in ours).
(Stay tuned for Brokenness Part 3: POWER and HOPE)
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
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