It’s a Broken World

I know it’s not a news flash to anyone that our world is broken. The theologians among us will quickly point out it’s sin that’s broken our world. And I’d quickly agree with them. My heartbreak is not a theological one but a sympathetic one. We’re not breaking new ground here but sometimes we have to give voice to the agony in our hearts.

My heart has been tweaked and cracked over and over again in these last few years. It wasn’t that I was oblivious before it’s just that brokenness just seems to jump out at me now. I recently had a dinner with a young friend. He had just lost his job and has two family members desperately without hope and direction. Another friend’s Dad starting drinking after 20 years of sobriety. His marriage is over. Someone very close to me had their Mother do the same thing. Her family is losing hope that she’ll recover this time. My best friend called me today; right before he had to go and lead worship at the funeral of a 6 year old little girl.

I’m praying for a Twitter friend who’s little girl drowned and is now miraculously recovering (thank God). I heard a story just this morning about a local firefighter who couldn’t have children and was blessed with twins only to have them both suffer SIDS on the same day.

Joplin, Japan, Alabama, Haiti, Raleigh. Homes lost and peace shaken. Friends without employment or recourse. Families having to search for jobs that provide housing so they’re no longer homeless. Churches doing their best to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

I see so much brokenness around me and it drives me. It drives me to my knees to thank God for His mercy and goodness in my life. I have healthy children, a loving wife and a happy home. Everything else is gravy. It drives me to ask God for His glory to shine through the brokenness and pierce the darkness surrounding those I love and those I’ll never meet. It drives me to ask; what can I do to help? How can I make a difference?

We all see brokenness. Some of it is abstract and some of it is disturbingly personal. So my question is this. How are you reacting to brokenness and how can I pray for you?

Here’s my encouragement wherever you find yourself today. Don’t let brokenness drive you to despair but rather;  find hope in the God who does all things beautifully in His time.