More often than not, we find it difficult to imagine that God can re-purpose the broken and jagged pieces of our lives. In the shame- and perfection-based Asian culture there are those who, through their own failings or through ordinary and extraordinary circumstances, find themselves marginalized by the church. And there are always those people within our own communities and families who may remind us again and again of the insurmountable nature of our failings.
Some decades ago an article appeared in the now-defunct Tozai Times in which the writer who, acknowledging her non-church involvement, had visited several prominent Asian American churches.
Her conclusion? That these churches were nothing more than "well-baby clinics." The idea being that as long as you are a normal, functional, socialized, well-rounded individual, that you would be assured of welcome in the church. But if you were somehow touched by divorce, drugs, single-parenthood, spectrum disorders, gender confusion or any of a plethora of struggles, including just being "different," that the church was not where you might find a place for yourself.
The mandate for the church is to base its vision, not on cultural norms, but upon biblical foundations. We need the reminder again that men and women are blessed with great and wonderful potential. At the same time, we often suffer the brokenness of sorrow, guilt and rejection.
Our calling as the church is to take part in the mending of broken relationships, whether to God, to ourselves, or to others. We understand that this is what Jesus Christ has called us as his people to do. I am called back to Romans 8:28 which says, "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."
All things God works for the good. All things. We often use this verse to speak of tragic circumstances like illness, job loss or death. But do you suppose that "all things" can include the shards of a life broken by our failings, our shame, our unbelief, our sorrow, our indecision, our sin?
As one whom God has redeemed from divorce and disgrace, and who has been restored to ministry, I think of God somehow weaving the flotsam and jetsam of our lives, our talents, our experiences, and re-creating something of remarkable worth and value. People - even Christians - are quick to point out where we have failed, where we cannot attain to some imagined level of righteousness. Whereas God is about repentance, restoration and pointing out our possibilities, pushing us in the right direction. As the Apostle Paul wrote the church in Philippi, "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Phil 2:13)
Some decades ago an article appeared in the now-defunct Tozai Times in which the writer who, acknowledging her non-church involvement, had visited several prominent Asian American churches.
Her conclusion? That these churches were nothing more than "well-baby clinics." The idea being that as long as you are a normal, functional, socialized, well-rounded individual, that you would be assured of welcome in the church. But if you were somehow touched by divorce, drugs, single-parenthood, spectrum disorders, gender confusion or any of a plethora of struggles, including just being "different," that the church was not where you might find a place for yourself.
The mandate for the church is to base its vision, not on cultural norms, but upon biblical foundations. We need the reminder again that men and women are blessed with great and wonderful potential. At the same time, we often suffer the brokenness of sorrow, guilt and rejection.
Our calling as the church is to take part in the mending of broken relationships, whether to God, to ourselves, or to others. We understand that this is what Jesus Christ has called us as his people to do. I am called back to Romans 8:28 which says, "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."
All things God works for the good. All things. We often use this verse to speak of tragic circumstances like illness, job loss or death. But do you suppose that "all things" can include the shards of a life broken by our failings, our shame, our unbelief, our sorrow, our indecision, our sin?
As one whom God has redeemed from divorce and disgrace, and who has been restored to ministry, I think of God somehow weaving the flotsam and jetsam of our lives, our talents, our experiences, and re-creating something of remarkable worth and value. People - even Christians - are quick to point out where we have failed, where we cannot attain to some imagined level of righteousness. Whereas God is about repentance, restoration and pointing out our possibilities, pushing us in the right direction. As the Apostle Paul wrote the church in Philippi, "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Phil 2:13)
It is such a blessing to be reminded that God is at work in my life. That nothing is going to be wasted in God's economy. Nothing is wasted. Let that sink in for a moment. In the worship song of the same name, there is a lyric that says,
"You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing in my life You cannot revive
You are loving, You are wise
There is nothing too hard for our God."
Do we believe that? Do we live that out? Nothing is wasted.
No matter where you may be in your journey, broken or unbroken, we need so much to hear the message of repentance and grace. To share that message with others. To allow it to take root in our own hearts. There is nothing in my life, God cannot revive! Amen!
* I understand that there is a controversy regarding the Elevation Church pastor, Steven Furtick. Nonetheless, the song speaks to the redemptive work of Christ is our lives.
* I understand that there is a controversy regarding the Elevation Church pastor, Steven Furtick. Nonetheless, the song speaks to the redemptive work of Christ is our lives.
2 comments:
Amen...again I say Amen. Yes, in God's economy, nothing is wasted. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Thank you for reminding us again, that in our brokeness we are more effective than in our victories, because our brokeness points to God, but our victories points to us.
Thanks Pastor John. You are such an inspiration and example of God's work. Thanks for reminding us that nothing is wasted
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