We all go through seasons of brokenness (Ecclesiastes 3:1). It’s a sad reality that all of us must face, despite our every desire. In a fallen world, bad experiences can rattle us. The loss of a loved one can cause us to question God’s goodness. Failing a unit of study, or having our job terminated, can cause us to question God’s providence and will for our life. We might wonder: is He truly there? Whatever it is, these periods of brokenness or crisis can be shattering.
Recently, I was hiking around the Toowoomba range in the Picnic Point Bushland Reserve when I came across a tree that had snapped. My initial thought was to remove the piece that had snapped off; this might help with some re-growth. But as I neared the tree, I noticed that it had snapped in a secondary spot too. Interestingly, the tree had formed these two breaks into a “z” pattern, and yet, it continued to grow in an upward manner as all other trees do. I was amazed!
When we’re in our periods of brokenness, we can be quick to believe we’re broken beyond repair. We’re too far gone. Perhaps the pain is too deep to see any joy – the light just seems so dim.
But God is in the business of restoring people.
Remember when God called Hannah out of barrenness, providing a seed in her womb to conceive Samuel? In desperation, she prayed:
“O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.”
1 Sam. 1:11 ESV.
Indeed, God answered her prayer.
Remember when Jesus healed the blind man in Mark 8:22-25? A man born with blindness, yet Jesus provides sight. A tangible gift that restored the man’s ability to integrate into society. He could now work and participate; no longer was he a “burden”.
Countless other stories throughout the Bible paint similar pictures.
Despite our brokenness and weakness, God provides strength. When all seems dark, if there is no light at the end of the tunnel, He simply calls us to “abide” in Him.
“4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4-5 ESV.
When we rely on Jesus, especially when we have nothing else to grasp, He works to produce fruit in our lives. And ever so surely, as time progresses, joy can be found again. Hope is restored, and colour emerges from our black-and-white viewpoint. If you’re looking for new life, don’t be quick to prune the broken pieces. God can use them in profound ways, often to our complete surprise.
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