|
"We are afflicted in
every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck
down, but not destroyed...." (2 Corinthians 4.8-9)
_____________________________
Broken
The
New Testament uses at least
14 different verbs to mean "break." How fitting.
Even in English we have a range of terms: crush,
break, tear, split, shatter, burst, rend, etc.
This variety of words helps reflect the myriad
of ways we get hurt in
life.
None of us like it - the
broken heart, the crushed spirit, the bruised
feelings, or the tortured soul. Who would choose
brokenness? But we all experience
it.
We wreak some of
the havoc on ourselves. Other harm comes by the hands
and choices of others. It seems inescapable, and our distress
often drives us to lash out at others or
isolate ourselves from them. Affliction typically
provokes retaliation, and more
conflict.
Of course,
some
brokenness defies all explanation: the miscarriage,
a hidden tumor, an unexpected depression, or
the natural disaster. Our lives are broken so often
and in so many ways. The only remaining question is: How
shall we
survive?
How can Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians 4.8-9 (above) become
our confident
testimony?
In the
hands of Jesus, brokenness shifts from danger to
opportunity. The very things that threaten to destroy
us, can become the basis for hope and
life.
When Jesus
took the bread and blessed it, he also had to
break it before he could give it. The Lord's Supper,
as it outlines our lives, reminds us that brokenness
becomes the prerequisite to meaningful ministry.
The deepest touch comes from the wounded
healer.
We want to resist failure, weakness,
and brokenness. But, paradoxically, in the hands of
Christ they give birth to hope, strength,
and wholeness. So, we endure the breaking with
full confidence that we are the Chosen and Blessed (see parts
1 and 2 of this series).
And what we consider broken, he considers
prepared.
We
need not be crushed, despairing, forsaken, or
destroyed when Christ acts as the host in our
lives.
In
HOPE
-
David
| 
