Thursday, January 6, 2011

Take These Broken Wings, and Learn to Fly Again

Broken.

That's such a harsh word - such a sense of finality with saying something is broken.

In our high speed rush for convenience, how many times do we simply replace without considering the costs of repair? Be it a tv, furniture, or a car, there comes a point with each that we simply say,"enough" and go for the replacement. And why not, the newer models have lots of new features with no scars of a shattered vessel.

Mark 14:3, “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.”

Vance Havner said, “God uses broken things. Broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.”



Since 12/28/10, I have been experiencing what it's like to have a broken body. Throughout the surgery and the post-op hospital stay, I have been overwhelmed at the generosity of others in expressing an interest in my well being! I could not begin to thank all of you, as there are so many of you - family, church family, Gideon family, and work family. With each call, text, visit, email, or other unseen actions I have come to realize that I am indeed a blessed man.



Yes, in the midst of this trial, I can see the goodness of God. I can see His hand at work in strengthening relationships on this side of eternity.



I don't know what plans God has for me in the future, but I have been physically broken. And we started off this column saying that God uses broken things. I have but this to say, "Here am I, send me!"