Mosaics

‭James 1:2-4 (NIV‬) -

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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‭Romans 5:3-6 (NIV‬) -

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

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‭Romans 8:28 (NIV‬) -

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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 I had the pleasure of meeting a rather delightful man in Rundle Mal earlier this week. He was sharing the Gospel with Gideon's Bibles in his duffel bag, a tradie's jacket, and an incredible (but unruly) beard. It was clear to see that the joy of Christ filled every part of this man, and wasn't affected by anything going on around him. We started talking and exchanged bits and pieces of our stories of faith - his, a miraculous transformation on the back of 17 years of addiction to meth, mine growing up with a string faith thanks to strong Christian parents (though not without my own struggles).

There was a point in the conversation, after we had discussed our stories, when he began to say to me, "My story isn't as beautiful as yours..." From his perspective, the fact that I had known God my whole life (in comparison to his messy, broken past) meant that my testimony was more beautiful. Gotta say, hearing him say that and seeing how much he valued knowing Christ from a young age, I felt humbled. It made me realise how thankful I am for the family God placed me in, but also how often I take that time for granted. With that said, I strongly disagreed - his story of miraculous deliverance was just as beautiful as my story!

I was reminded of a quote, which I shared with him: "Mosaics are made of broken pieces." Both of us were broken, each in our own ways. Both of us had some areas that had been broken down smaller than others. Both of us were being transformed into a glorious picture by the Master Artist - an image of Christ, crucified and resurrected for the sake of the world. (If you want to hear a beautiful expression of this idea, check out The Artist by Sarah Sparks, which I've linked below.) He was very encouraged and moved, asked to exchange contact details, and we went on to enjoy a bit more conversation before I had to go to work.

If you are reading this and feel like you are broken and shattered, that nothing beautiful could be made out of what's left of you or of your broken story, allow me to encourage you - I know a God who makes mosaics out of broken people. Those mosaics are not made for our own glory but to point to the Saviour of the world and the Artist who sent Him for our sakes. He will not leave you broken, but He will take everything that you are and have been through and bring it together to create a masterpiece, giving you hope, joy, love, and purpose in the process.

I will say one more thing, though, which came from my reflections this morning. While mosaics are beautiful, shattered glass is not. In fact, it tends to be more painful and dangerous than beautiful, especially when it is wielded by people who don't know what to do with the pieces. It is especially dangerous when wielded by people who intend to use the broken pieces as a weapon, as they bring harm to both themselves and others in the process.

We are all children, no matter our age. God is our Father. We are clumsy, anxious, untrained, volatile. God is eternal, steady, measured, precise, skilled, and intentional. When we try to make something of our broken pieces, we will likely only end up hurting ourselves and those close to us. When we step back from the glass and invite God to freely move and work in our lives, He transforms our brokenness into beauty, one which inspires hope and joy in others by revealing the healing and restoring power of Christ.

Whatever you do, though, the worst thing you can do is use your brokenness as a weapon to harm others. There is a song called Treason, by Gable Price & Friends, which has this line in the chorus: "Is it really heroic to be broken on purpose, or is it treason to your heart?" If you are hurting, I understand. I've made my fair share of mistakes out of a place of pain. But the moment you decide to use your pain as a reason to inflict pain on others, so you won't be the only one who has to feel the way you do, you are not only hurting others but cutting yourself with same shards of glass. There is no freedom in that. You will only find that freedom in Jesus, when you choose to let go of your pain and surrender it to Him. When you do, I promise that He will sweep in with healing and love, then transform you a piece at a time.

I hope you all have a blessed day, and I hope this has been an encouragement to some of you! May you know our Father's love more deeply. Jordan.

The Artist, Sarah Sparks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ7cI4bPuR8

Treason Gable Price & Friends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5QzmJFvfzI