The Power of Being Broken.

I remember studying in Pauline Theology a few years ago about how important and essential it is to be broken in order to be made beautiful by God.

What amazed me was seeing how Jesus was led by example - that the greatest, most beautiful "patching" up of a broken thing was Jesus conquering sin by being broken by death.

Oftentimes, we see being broken as a bad thing.
Something to disdain and avoid.

But time and time again, in looking back at the big turning points in my life, I cannot help but admit in all humility that if not for the periods of being absolutely, pitifully broken, I would not have learned the most beautiful lessons in my life.

It is through the most heart-breaking, mind-numbing, desolate experiences that I've grown closer to God, and let go of my foolish pride long enough to let Him draw close to me.


Now I am learning a new type of lesson about brokenness.

In caring for and loving my friends, I've always been sort of over-protective of them.
When I can see that they are obviously going through tough times, I wish that I could take it away from them... or help 'cure' their heartbreak.

But now I've learned a new prayer for my friends.
That God will open any opportunities for me to minister to them in their times of brokenness. That they will be receptive to His love and healing.
But not to interfere before then.

Does this mean that I leave them in the lurch first?
Oh no....
It simply means that I recognise when they need to go through their periods of pain and brokennes, and just sit with them.


During the months just after Reuben died, many people did not know how to act around me and my parents.
How DO you comfort someone grieving something you cannot understand or imagine?
If I had not gone through it, I probably would not know either.

But I now know this - the comfort that proved most effective was not always advise or "comforting words".
Words can so often be taken the wrong way... and for many of us, during times of grief, words fail anyway.

The best way to comfort someone who you KNOW you cannot say anything to comfort them with... is simply to BE with that person. Sit with the person while his/her heart is breaking. Hold their hand. Cry with them.
No need for words.

Words were in a way invented by humans anyway.
What's to say that the better form of communication is not non-verbal?

So... as part of growing up, I'm learning - with His infinite wisdom and love, to be tactful of others' feelings. Not to cough up words when they don't even matter. But merely to be a good friend, and perhaps a messenger from God - a hug from a friend is a divine message of love, you know!


But all in all, I no longer see shame in being broken.
For brokenness is a beautiful thing...
... when we see the power of God's healing.