Beauty in the Broken

Road trips really are a staple for deep conversations, convictions, and connection with God for me.  I think it's when I'm the most focused, yet least distracted, and therefore my heart's guard is down to where God can penetrate to the core of my heart, soul, and being in a way He couldn't otherwise because of my stubbornness.

While driving, a song came on the radio that spoke of God seeing the beauty in the broken; in our brokenness.  It was then that I was hit with this overwhelming wave of Truth.  At first I couldn't see it, but as the chorus repeated and repeated and repeated, my thoughts of others and their brokenness faded like a fog evaporating on a back country road and all that was left was the reality of my brokenness.  And even more so, God washing over me the Truth that God sees my beauty despite all of it!

Anyone that knows me knows this phrase: "You are your own worst critic."  I say it as an encouragement to others not to be so hard on themselves, but I speak from experience.  Some may say I'm too hard on myself, but the truth is, they don't hear the thoughts that rattle through my mind, my true (self-gratifying) intentions with many of my actions, and the ugliness that (though I hate to admit it) can really take over in my heart at times.  But ". . . God judges the secrets of men . . ." (Romans 2:16b) and ". . . circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit . . ." (Romans 3:29b)...and the Truth is, God actually sees my beauty, at my very core, not the surface beauty (that morphs with age--both for better and worse! lol), and not the fake, made-up beauty (with the masks of surgeries, make-up, and cover-up...it has that name for a reason!)...He sees my beauty because inside me He sees Himself.  ". . . God created man in his own imagine, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them," (Genesis 1:27).  He sees beauty because He created me, and you, in His image.  Our beauty comes from Him and it's not of our outward appearance, but in our very essence and core.  The saying, "Beauty is only skin deep" doesn't really cut it, because true beauty, goes back to our roots...and when you follow your roots...they lead you back to Genesis 1:27.

For me, this brought a wave of emotion because, it's easy to see the beautiful souls of others (even in "misfits" and "fringe kids" as my friend Rachel says my heart is drawn to), but it is extremely difficult for me to see that in myself.  But if I truly want to see people through the eyes of Christ...His vision includes me.  That was empowering, enlightening, and overwhelming.  I am broken.  Oh, how true that is!  But as Paul says, God's not finished with us yet and He who began a good work in us will bring it through to completion.

I want to challenge you to not only see the Beauty in the Broken of others in your sphere of influence, but yourself as well...We are broken, but beautiful, because God has made us in His image and He is Beautiful.

Headlights on the Highway

I recently was on a road trip from Cincinnati back to the Chicagoland area.  While on road trips, I have plenty of time to think, contemplate, and talk with God.  As I neared Northwest Indiana, weather became more in line with the holiday season (which I loved!).  At about this time I realized that conditions on the road were getting a little hazardous; nothing tragic, but noticeable.  For this reason I turned on my headlights.  Shortly after, the person driving in front of me followed suit.  This then began a sort of domino affect along the road.

This instance reminded me much of the world we live in today.  As Christ followers, the Church body is meant to be the light in the darkness.  We are to bring hope (and light) into the this world, this life, that isn't easy, and sometimes hard to see what is up ahead.  However, when we emulate Christ, not only do we bring light into dark situations and where it can be dangerous, but we give our brothers and sisters in Christ encouragement and confidence to shine on as well.  And we all know, darkness is merely the absence of light...and the more we illuminate the darkness, the more easily Christ will be made known to those along this road called life.

So, dear brothers and sisters...SHINE ON!