Being broken in a good way

I see it in the faces of those around me everywhere I go - even the masks can't hide it.

People have been broken by the events of the past eighteen months.  They are worn out.  Humbled.

How can this be good?

When we reach the end of ourselves, where do we turn?  I am in the habit of turning to Jesus as the Source of my strength.  His strength remains the same during a pandemic.  Always.

But for those who do not have the Lord, where do they go?  Stripped of all social gatherings, we were left to ourselves and those we live with. 

If we relied on the bottle before, we turned to it even more.

If we relied on reasoning and figuring out, we were stumped.  How do you figure out a pandemic, all of its ramifications, or its end date?

Frankly I don't know how people do life without the Lord.  We weren't built to "do life" apart from God. We were created to live in communion with our Creator.  But the damage from the fall left us (wrongly) thinking that we are on our own; left to fend for and take care of ourselves.

Nothing could be further from the truth!  God is still for us.  God is still there.  And when we are born again into His Kingdom, He is with us.  Always.

When God breaks us, through whatever means it may be, it is always for our good.  Broken in this case does not require fixing but acceptance.  Broken before God means humility, getting a clearer picture of His Sovereignty, His ways, His love for us.

As a child, when I was really naughty, I received a spanking.  And how about that, I'm still here!  And somehow, my little psyche new that this was done in love.  Knowing that there are boundaries and consequences in life is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child.  And I loved my parents all the more because I knew they were protecting me and wanted the best for me.  And misbehaving was not in my best interest!

Point being?  I do not believe the pandemic was a cosmic "spanking."  But I believe it could have the same affect if we let it.  

Lessons from the pandemic?

- we are not in control
- there is a God and He will go to extreme lengths to get our attention
- when we come to the end of ourselves, life as we know it, we look up - we need God (otherwise, there is only despair)
- God's strength is more than enough to carry us through
- if we don't come to Jesus, our brokenness will wear us out instead of work for our good

I don't know what the future holds, but I know the one who holds it.  And that makes all the difference because I know that God is good.  And whatever bad events take place, both nearby and on the world stage, having this bedrock of immovable faith is all we really need to navigate life.  

We do not have to fear being broken by even worse catastrophes because the Lord is with us.  We have a firm Foundation that is unshakable, eternal, and true.  And He never breaks!  

Lord Jesus, these are strange times.  We don't know what to make of them, except we know that You are in absolute control.  All power and authority belong to You, O God.  And You always know what is best for us.  Help us see it all as Your will, O God, whether causing or permissive.  Nothing takes you by surprise, Lord, for You are Omniscient.  Thank You for being utterly trustworthy.  Thank You for knowing how, when, and where to break us to move and keep us close and closer to You.  Help us rely on Your strength, Lord.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.