Beautifully Broken
Isaiah 61:3
"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."
2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
The world is a truly disgusting place. People do horrible things that effect the innocents in their lives. It's heartbreaking and, oftentimes, I find myself asking "Why, God?"
This summer, I served as a Summer Missionary at different camps and Vacation Bible Schools in my area and I met a lot of kids who shared their stories with me. I met kids that were kicked out of their homes because their parents didn't want them, kids who'd been abandoned and adopted, and kids who had to be mom or dad to multiple younger siblings. I met foster kids who'd been taken from abusive or drug addicted homes, kids who were sexually, mentally, and verbally abused, and kids who are tossed from relative to relative because no one wanted to take care of them. All of these kids were between the ages of 10 and 15. Why? Why would God let this happen?
I considered that question a lot this summer. Obviously, I realize that this is a fallen, sinful world, but these kids are so sweet! So innocent! So willing to learn and connect and love! It made me angry that these things had happened to these kids.
Late in the summer, I was spending my daily quiet time and rediscovered the verses above. The Christian cliché 'everything happens for a reason' is so much more than just a cliché. We never know how things are going to work out, but we always know why. God has a plan to use everything that happens to His glory and for our ultimate good.
It was then that I began to realize that many of the characteristics I loved the most about those kids - their wit, their passion, their love - were actually the results of what they'd been through. For those who follow Jesus Christ, He didn't promise a perfect or worry free life. He only promised our life would be abundant (John 10:10). Difficult times are a part of life; as much as we hate it, everything we go through is a part of life and Jesus promised an abundant life! But He didn't leave us with that, He has overcome the trouble of life (John 16:33)!
And for that reason, I praise God for all the heartbreaking stories I heard and the evident joy and strength He gave those kids. I thank Him that I got to watch Him work in the lives of these kids. I thank Him that He used me to teach these kids and that He used them to teach me. God is working little miracles everyday, you just have to look for them in the lives of the beautifully broken.
"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."
2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
The world is a truly disgusting place. People do horrible things that effect the innocents in their lives. It's heartbreaking and, oftentimes, I find myself asking "Why, God?"
This summer, I served as a Summer Missionary at different camps and Vacation Bible Schools in my area and I met a lot of kids who shared their stories with me. I met kids that were kicked out of their homes because their parents didn't want them, kids who'd been abandoned and adopted, and kids who had to be mom or dad to multiple younger siblings. I met foster kids who'd been taken from abusive or drug addicted homes, kids who were sexually, mentally, and verbally abused, and kids who are tossed from relative to relative because no one wanted to take care of them. All of these kids were between the ages of 10 and 15. Why? Why would God let this happen?
I considered that question a lot this summer. Obviously, I realize that this is a fallen, sinful world, but these kids are so sweet! So innocent! So willing to learn and connect and love! It made me angry that these things had happened to these kids.
Late in the summer, I was spending my daily quiet time and rediscovered the verses above. The Christian cliché 'everything happens for a reason' is so much more than just a cliché. We never know how things are going to work out, but we always know why. God has a plan to use everything that happens to His glory and for our ultimate good.
And for that reason, I praise God for all the heartbreaking stories I heard and the evident joy and strength He gave those kids. I thank Him that I got to watch Him work in the lives of these kids. I thank Him that He used me to teach these kids and that He used them to teach me. God is working little miracles everyday, you just have to look for them in the lives of the beautifully broken.
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