Time for Restoration
God has been stirring in my heart for many years—20 to be exact—about the condition of mankind. He has given me very clear illustrations of life with God and life without God. I will share some specific examples, but the message is sobering, challenging, and requires a call to action. The message is also full of hope, restoration, and victory!
We live in a broken and fallen world. No matter where you go, you encounter hurt and empty people searching and longing for a better life—for meaning and purpose.
My life is no exception. Before I was even born, the devil wanted to destroy me (The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, John 10:10). He started with my parents. My biological father was not ready to be a husband or father. So my mom left to raise two girls by herself with a baby on the way.
Several people told her to have an abortion (including my own biological father) because it would be too difficult to raise three children on her own. Doctors said her heath was at risk and also encouraged her to have an abortion. But by the grace of God, she refused to listen and kept the pieces of our broken home together.
When I was just 14 months old, God provided someone to care for our family. Our heavenly Father demonstrated His love and compassion by giving my sisters and me a dad. I could go on about times in my life that were less than ideal, but those days are behind me.
You, and I, and everyone we meet must navigate through a world that has become far from what God intended. As we live, we are sure to encounter trials and tribulations; Jesus told us this in John 16:33.
Our lives can be like broken glass jars—sharp, busted, no longer useful for intended purpose, dangerous, trash, shattered, unrecognizable. Lives are fragile and at some point end up like broken glass jars with broken homes, marriages, relationships, churches, school, government. We feel shame, guilt, regret, rejection, and even worthless.
Sometimes our brokenness is a result of our decisions—bad relationships, drugs or alcohol, bad choices. Sometimes it was a result of someone else’s decision—abuse, neglect, hate/discrimination, etc. Regardless of whose decision it was, the devil is behind it (Ephesians 6:12)!
But that is not how God created us to live (Jer. 29. 11-13). We do not end up broken, busted, and disgusted because of something God has done. We get saved, healed, redeemed, restored, and put back together because of what Jesus did on the cross (Ephesians 1:7)!
GOD wants to HEAL our LAND and bring restoration! “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).
Redeemed people allow Jesus to repurpose the broken glass into something beautiful with a purpose. Allow His compassion, grace, and love to do the miraculous.
Turn what was a painful part of your history into a beautiful new story. Tell everyone what He has done for you and you may want to call it His story. Your past…that is history; your future that is His Story!
If you are broken and hurting let Him put the pieces back together. Speak against doubt, fear, and the lies of the enemy. God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalms 147:3). For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10). We are a chosen generation; His own special people that He called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Mature Christians- He has got you through your broken and hurting past- use that to minister to others and lead them to a deeper relationship with Christ.
It’s time for restoration. Remove/be aware of things that trip you up or take your focus off God. Know your calling/purpose in Christ. Pursue, build, develop, nurture, and defend. Don’t let the devil steal your joy!