Key
Text: “to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to
give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3
 |
Dr. Terry Ann Robinson,
Kings SDA Church |
Have you ever been broken?
I don’t mean upset or disappointed. I mean
truly broken. Something, someone, or maybe a series of events caused that deep
emotional pain that may manifest itself even in physical pain.
Often, being broken is a result of an expected
situation. A crash of circumstances that causes your heart to be shattered into
a million pieces.
During a season of brokenness, nothing makes
sense. The lemons in life are too bitter to make lemonade. You feel nobody
understands, and nobody may even care. Your tears may have been your meat day
and night ( Psalm 42:3).
The enemy of your soul whispers words of
discouragement. He tells you that things will not end well. He sends others to
plant seeds of doubt, ridicule, and despair.
The Psalmist David went through his seasons of
Brokenness. Throughout these times, he had many questions that you, too, may
have.
Why have you forgotten me? (Psalm 42:9)
How long do I have to go through this? (Psalm
13:1)
Jesus responds with a reminder.
I am near to the brokenhearted and I save
those crushed in Spirit (Psalm 34:18)
He continues…
Do not be afraid, I am with you; I am your
God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you with my righteous
right hand (Isaiah 41:10)
So, be anxious for nothing but with
prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving tell me your requests (Philippians 4:6).
Remember God is a Potter. He takes broken
lives and broken hearts and turns them into beautiful testimonies of His love.
He says, let's trade.
I will take your ashes and give you a crown of
beauty (Isaiah 61:3).
I will take your mourning and give you
gladness (Jeremiah 31:13).
I will take your despair and make you so light
you can sing a song of praise (Isaiah 61:3).
I will take your sorrow and make your heart
rejoice (John 16:22).
He promises that He will restore, confirm,
strengthen, and establish you (1 Peter 5:10).
Then He reminds you that your present
sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in you
(Romans 8:18).
Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that uses gold
to mend broken ceramics. Kintsugi Artisans do not hide the damage in broken
vessels. Instead, they see these as a part of the unique story of each piece.
Today, many people purchase these pieces without realizing that they are
actually broken vessels that have been mended into spectacular beauty.
You may be broken today, but the master
Kintsugi Artisan is willing to pick you up and mend your life with threads of
gold. He will turn your brokenness into a beautiful masterpiece.
Prayer
Oh Lord, what a wonderful God you are. When
life breaks us and the devil tells us we can never amount to anything, You are
there as a Master Kintsugi Artisan holding in your hand sands of gold ready to
turn our lives into a masterpiece. Help us to hang on through our times of
brokenness, knowing that Joy comes in the morning. Amen.
Amen
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