Have you ever tried to piece together a torn photo? Until today, my answer would have been "no." As I thought of the torn pieces I had to decide what direction to go. Do I discard those pieces as broken and insignificant? Or do I salvage it as best as I can and return it to its' place of honor in my home? I was torn between emotions that swayed from side-to-side. It is not a photo I can simply replace with a new one. As I carefully considered the photo, I heard a small voice within my spirit telling me that this is more than a torn photo. It represents a broken and hurting life.
My choice was not to discard the broken pieces. In hope of sending a simple and significant message, the photo was taped and returned to the frame and its' proper place on my mantle. From certain angles, you wouldn't even recognize the fragmented, jagged lines. However, from other angles or upon looking closely you see this photo is not what it once was created to be. It is forever scarred. Like this photo, many people around us (and including us) are forever scarred by pain, anger, abuse, hurtful words, poor choices and bad situations. I believe God wants our scars and even our open wounds. He wants to redeem and use those scars in our lives for His glory. He is asking us to allow him into our fragmented lives that He might restore the picture of our lives that we might do the things He has created in advance for us to do. That our passions might bloom from our pain. That we might run the race and press on toward the goal. That daily we might take up our cross and live for Him.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
