“For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” -Isaiah 57:15
Could the story of a broken leaf, revive a broken heart? Perhaps so, if it reminds us of the Lord who, though shines from high above, impacts the lowly with His light to revive them. The light of His presence shines even in our brokenness and weakness.
This is the story of a valuable broken leaf. Valuable because I found beauty in its brokenness and because it reminds me that beauty often does shine through our brokenness.
How can that be?
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.” John 8:12
Let’s look at the leaf.
Fall is long gone. We drank our fill of pumpkin spice lattes. We ate the entire bag of candy corn and gained our holiday five pounds. We even lost them again. Christmas decorations are taken down and the ball dropped in Times Square weeks ago. Snow, sleet, and ice have come and gone. Spring is just around the corner. This fragile leaf, though.
Just look at it.
It’s got some scars, but it’s still hanging on. I spotted its uniqueness from afar. I drew it out from among the other leaves on four acres and held it up to the sun. The light shines through its empty holes and the cold, frosty boundaries of its edges. What would be deemed worthless and carelessly trampled underfoot, has now turned glorious against the backdrop of light and sky.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 5:3
I’m glad this leaf is still here. Where has its travels taken it? It has enjoyed some bright, fall afternoons, but also some dark winter nights for sure. It reminds me that beauty can still shine through the broken, the vulnerable, the scars, and even the boundary lines we build up to protect ourselves from more brokenness.
Where have you been in the last few months? Has life felt like an arduous journey lately?
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:7
The broken leaf reminds me that, as we hold our lives up to the Son, He can shine His light into our wounded hearts that feel fragile, empty, and frozen. He can melt the frost away. Unlike this leaf, our hearts can be miraculously strengthened and softened even like this leaf if it were to magically revert to a more supple, green leaf.
Am I holding my broken areas up to the Son? Or do I prefer to float around aimlessly with my wounds from fall through winter, never letting the light shine in?
The beauty of this broken leaf is valuable in my eyes. How much more then, is the beauty of a broken life that has endured the harsh seasons and still turns toward the Lord and lets the light of Christ shine through?
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Do you feel your brokenness today? This month? Already this year?
Have you been betrayed? Have you had to yield to a difficult call that has felt like death? Have you been disrupted? Rejected? Harmed physically, emotionally, or spiritually in some way? Or do you struggle with a particular sin such as anger, that stems from these hurts?
What do I mean by brokenness?
Brokenness is the emotional, psychological, or spiritual wounds we all experience as humans that stem from trauma, loss, failure, or unmet needs in relationships. The impact of brokenness can be feelings of isolation, despair, inadequacy, anger, and depression. Acknowledging brokenness can be the first step toward healing and personal growth. We can find strength and resilience through our experiences with brokenness through a deeper understanding of who Christ is and who we are in Him.
How would it feel if you could see Jesus’ story intersecting with yours? Jesus understands what it feels like to be abused, ridiculed, and rejected. He experienced life but didn’t sin. He can empathize with our weaknesses. He showed us what it looks like to turn toward and be dependent on the Father in the face of those things.
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39
Have you pondered your life story?
“Each of us has a unique story, but if we live without looking at the master Storyteller, we get lost and confused.” -Robert Cheong, Restore
Lord, comfort us with this truth that, although you live in a high and holy place, you also live with those who are lowly and contrite in spirit, to revive their spirits and hearts. Compell our hearts to run to you more quickly and more often as you remind us that, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Encourage our hearts to, “Approach your throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Are you interested in looking at your life story, or parts of it, and seeing God’s story over it and/or intersecting it? I’m starting live, Graced Story coaching groups that will go through this book called Restore, by Robert Cheong. We will seek to reignite our love for Christ and how we love others. If you’re interested in joining a live group coaching opportunity, please contact me at amy@curatorsofgrace.net and I’ll contact you as things get started in February.
Amazon Description:
“What’s your story? Each of us has a unique one—a way of weaving together past experiences, relationships, and current joys and sorrows to make sense of our lives. But if we live our stories without looking to the master Storyteller, we get lost and confused. Changing deeply held patterns of living and loving happens as we find our place in God’s great story and learn to trust his love and care for us.
In Restore: Changing How We Live and Love, pastor and author Robert K. Cheong shows us that because we have been united to Christ, we can draw near to God, enjoy his love, and live with new patterns and life rhythms. This thirteen-week study guides participants through creating their own storyboards that will connect them to God’s overarching story and help them to rethink, reframe, and move forward. As participants discuss, do response activities, and learn to meditate on God’s Word, they will reconnect with God and reignite their love for him and others.
God knows you and he cares for you. Through this study you can be confident God will reframe how you see and experience life, as well as how you see and experience him. Christ will restore your soul as you abide in his love and find rest in him. God will redeem your story as he takes what was meant for evil and uses it to free you to love him and to live for him.”
