6th August - The Broken Parts Are Where the Beauty Begins

We’re not made in a crisis - we’re revealed in it.

That quote from John Maxwell says it so well. Because when life feels messy and the pressure starts to build, what’s inside us begins to rise to the surface. Not to shame us. But to show us what’s real - what’s steady, what’s healing, and what God is still working on.

There’s a story about a great leader who gathered his men to choose who would lead alongside him. He looked at each one and said, “Show me your scars.”

If someone had none, he didn’t dismiss them, he simply said, “Go fight some more and get some.” Not because he didn’t value their safety. But because he knew something important:The ones who had walked through something hard…The ones who had been tested under fire and kept going…They were the ones who he knew would be stronger, more steady, and resilient when he needed them to be.

Because whether you like it or not, you don’t become an overcomer by running away from the fight. You become one by walking through the valley, facing your giants, and overcoming - with Jesus by your side.

And when you do? You might come out with some cracks. Some scars. But those scars aren’t a sign of failure - they’re part of the story.

There’s a Japanese art form called Kintsugi, which means “golden joinery.” When a ceramic bowl breaks, it’s not thrown away. Instead, every piece is carefully gathered, cleaned, and put back together. But here’s the really beautiful part: the cracks aren’t hidden.They’re filled with gold.

And that broken bowl - It becomes more valuable, because of the break, not in spite of it.

That’s what Jesus does with us.

Any disappointments, hurts or challenges that we may go through and feel marked by, he fills those scars with His glory, if we’ll let Him. Where we see damage, He sees design and a way to work good. Where we feel shame, or disappointment, He brings purpose. And those very things you thought disqualified you; they might just become the most powerful part of your story.

So today, instead of hiding your scars or feeling discouraged, invite Jesus into those places. Let Him touch what’s been hurt, restore what’s been lost, and fill every crack with His grace and loving kindness. Because when He’s in the story, even your broken pieces can become something beautiful.

As this bible verse that I love says, "So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives." - Romans 8:28 The Passion Translation

Action Steps:

• Take a moment to list the things in your life you’ve tried to hide.

• Invite Jesus into those places today and ask Him to make beauty from your "ashes". Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

• Make space to let your story speak - Maybe that means writing it down, opening up to someone you trust, or simply showing up with a little more kindness and courage today. However it looks, Jesus has a purpose and as you invite him to, He'll use it for good. And remember, He’s not finished with your story yet.

  
  

Think and Say:"I’m not defined by what might feel broken or hurt in me. I’m defined by Jesus and what He says about my life. He's holding all things together, and that includes me."

Bible Verses:“He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:17 NLT

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

“He gives beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” – Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

Prayer: Jesus, I bring You my scars - the ones I’ve tried to hide and the ones that still hurt. Please fill them with Your presence and show me how You see me. Let Your glory, like gold, shine in and through the places that were once broken, and work ALL things together for my good. In Jesus' name, amen.

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