We live in a culture that places brokenness on a pedestal. We
love our catastrophes and our “hot messes.” Thus, the age of (not so real)
reality television.
I spoke with an 18 year old last night about her troubles
with her parents. She blamed them for all of her issues, as most 18 year old's
do. The interesting thing is that when I asked her what she did to instigate
the quarrel, she smirked. In the middle of the conversation she made a
statement. One that threw me off for a moment. “They are going to have to let
me make my own mistakes!” Today’s generation screams this. Like they invented
this particular wheel. Its been going on for ages. There is nothing new under
the sun. The generation of Israelites after the one that had been delivered out
of the 40 year desert fiasco screamed the same thing. “We will make our own
mistakes! Let us!” And we are supposed to sit back and watch. As if, there is
something magical in being broken. Brokeness.
It’s a necessity, yes. But its also a filthy process. Not one to be idolized.
But what if there is something more beautiful than brokenness?
What if the train wreck isn’t supposed to stay piled up in a heap of rubble and
despair? What if we are supposed to take the broken pieces and allow them to be
put back together… made new. Learn a lesson or two and move forward. Fall in
love with Jesus a little bit more.
He didn’t come so that we could remain in the shame of our
sin. He came to give us life and to give it more abundantly. When will we begin to walk in that abundance?
He didn’t stay in the tomb. He didn’t take his grave
garments with Him. He didn’t remain bloody and broken. And neither should we.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came
that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
