 Brokenness
What does it mean to be "broken" in a good way? As a woman, the word "broken" conjures up images of abuse and broken-heartedness. These types of broken people feel violated and are looking to be healed of personal wounded-ness. In contrast, when Jesus was broken, he chose to be poured out as an offering for others. Like him, when we pour out our lives on behalf of others, it often involves hardship and suffering. Loving people who are unlovely is no easy task. Not only do we live in a world full of hurting people, we in turn have endured being offended and exploited by people who have hurt us. At the same time, we have our own natural limitations, shortcomings and blindspots. Sorrow is everywhere so I'm asking Jesus to teach me how embrace brokenness in myself and others. I want him show me what he plans to teach me about himself through it. He reveals himself to me when I need Him. What does his word say about it. This is new for me. I am learning not to avoid pain and sorrow. At times, He visits me in my dark places and other times he calls me to walk with someone else in their painful season. He is not asleep. We are not alone. I’ve walked through craziness and sadness of different varieties in my own life or in lives of my family members. Addictions Mental illness Infertility Miscarriages Adoption Autism I’ve been there. You know what? I’ve discovered that he’s faithful in the good stuff like baby showers and school concerts, but he’s also faithful in the bad stuff like infertility and miscarriages. He’s faithful in the midst of my own personal broken places not only when I do a good job of being a patient, gentle mother, but Jesus is also faithful when I lose my temper or I act selfishly, like when I hide in the bathroom and eat a candy bar which I have no intention of sharing. Sometimes I blow it… big time. The truth is God wants us to stay connected to him when we are at our best but also when we are at our worst. He get’s it. Being human. God is not intimidated by the intensity of your emotions. He’s not afraid of your tantrums He’s not offended by you tears. The same grace of God which was made available to us because Jesus died to cover our sins, is not just for the moment of salvation it is grace for our continual connection to the Holy Spirit in everyday life. The Holy Spirit has the power to comfort you when you’re hurting. News Flash: God is not honored when you realize that you’re mad at God and then stay away from his presence because you’re disappointed and frustrated and then you feel condemned and guilty. “I shouldn’t feel this way about God. I’ll bet he’s offended by my childishness. He’s annoyed by my lack of faith.” Stop waiting to feel more holy. Stop pouting. Stop waiting until you feel perky to worship God. Don’t stay away. God is not: Exasperated Upset Insulted or Annoyed He isn’t disillusioned with you. He never had any illusions about you in the first place. He knows you. He saw you when you when You sulked You raged He knows about your: Orphaned Heart Broken home The abuse Shame Infertility Health concerns Miscarriage Developmentally disabled kids God is there in the bad moments too He’s in the valley With all my falling down and blindspots. God knew. My feeling orphaned, broken-hearted…he gets it. Actually, my weaknesses are actually my uniqueness. The very seasons that you’ve hated could be positioning you to be uniquely qualified to help others. God is able to love you completely through all of it. He has jewels and gems which are facets of himself to show you. Aspects of his nature which are showcased you in the velvet darkness of your crap-fest. “God who are you going to be for me now that I need you in a way like never before?” Ask him. Then stand back and see him be glorious in your situation and in the lives of those around you.
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 Chosen:
Jesus took the bread, but he also chose it. Once upon a time, at weddings, the preacher used to ask the groom, “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Take? The groom actually chose the bride, so for our purpose here we’re gonna switch the word ‘taken’ for the word ‘chosen.’ It sounds nicer and it means the same thing. It’s not a kidnapping after all. God chose us. Acts 17 says, “God knew the time and place in history that each of us would be born.” He chose us, meaning he enabled us. His grace enabled us to respond to the love poured out for us. God had a dream in his heart when you were conceived, He wrapped that dream in flesh and blood. That dream was you. When you opened your heart to redeeming love of God, the Holy Spirit chose to come in and fill your heart. Being chosen by God isn’t to exclusion of others either, it’s just the opposite. Being chosen by God means that we are included in his beautiful family. There isn’t a quota. Everyone is invited to be children of God. At the same time, you are unique and beloved in his eyes. Only God has unlimited room in his heart for many ‘favorite’ sons and daughters. When we walk in our Beloved-ness, we are protected from the snare of comparison. We are included because we are found in Christ, not because of our skin tone or our muscle tone! We are included. Always. I’m no longer subject to mean girls who say, “You can’t sit there. I’m saving these seats for my friends.” My sitting at the ‘cool-kids table’ is now guaranteed because The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have made a place for me at the their table. Because I’m the Bride of Christ, I’m included. This truth has the power to keep me from getting offended because I was excluded or uninvited. Jesus includes me every single time, and He’s not moody or hormonal. He embraces me. For some reason the wounded-ness that occurs when we are excluded, ignored, overlooked, or worse, voted off the team or unfriended can leave us really scarred. Sometimes these traumatic events happen in childhood, but they also happen to us as adults. Full disclosure. When I feel threatened, intimidated or afraid at an event like a conference or a meeting because I’m alone and lacking confidence, I picture myself arriving with Jesus by my side. I have my hand through his arm and the phrase in my head is, “I’m with him.” He has all access. The lie in my head is, “You’re not qualified to be here.”or “Who do you think you are?” My answer: “I’m with him!” Jesus has all access, and I’m with him. He qualifies me. He chose me before the foundation of the world. I have to keep that in mind sometimes. The culture around us will tell us that we are not enough, but the voice of God calls us to sit at his table. Jesus invites us…always. Up next... Blessed. |
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October 2019
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