Broken but Beautiful
Most things lose their value when they’re broken. A cracked vase or a shattered phone isn’t worth much. But in God’s economy, brokenness becomes a stage for beauty.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul describes the Christian life as a clay vessel carrying Christ’s treasure. He admits to being hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. Yet, in every weakness, God’s power was revealed. Brokenness wasn’t the end — it was the means for Christ’s life to shine more clearly.
Think of a glow stick: it only shines once it’s snapped. Or, perhaps a more biblical example? Think of Gideon’s army, who broke their jars so that the light inside could scatter the darkness. So too, in our lives, it is often through the cracks of suffering, loss, or weakness that Christ’s light radiates outward.
Paul also recognised that his hardships brought life to others. His suffering gave weight to his words and credibility to his witness. Just as Christ’s death brought us life, so too our willingness to embrace weakness and daily dying allows the life of Jesus to be seen in us.
Are you feeling broken? Don’t despair. Your brokenness may be the very place where Christ shines brightest. Yield your weakness to Him, and let the world see that the power is not from you, but from God.