But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
There’s a song that repeats these words from Isaiah and I first heard it while driving home from work one day. During that time my pain seemed especially pointless. I also felt concern that nothing good would ever come of it. “Lord,” I silently prayed, “How can you even use me when I’m so broken?”
As I paused and considered that question, the song above came onto the radio. When the music ended, a new perspective on my hurt began. I realized that through Christ’s wounds we are healed and because He lives in us…our wounds can bring healing to others too.
We think that we have to take what’s broken and make it perfect in order to be used by God and bless others. But God thinks in a completely different way. He took what was perfect, His Son, and made Him broken in order to bring us healing.
So if you’re sitting there wondering if God can use you because your life if is not as it should be, and your heart is aching—know that your greatest hurt will probably be your greatest way of making a difference.
Like the disciple Thomas who doubted until he touched the scars of Jesus, some people in your life need to see your broken places more than your victories.
{excerpt from Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times}
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Easter is all about turning everything upside down–death into life, defeat into victory, brokenness into healing. This week can be a reminder to all of us that every bit of us can be used by God.
How has God used you or something you’ve been through in an unexpected way?
Leave a Comment
Deb Martell says
So very true. Hurts are humbling and when we are in that place, He uses us. Only His healing can mend and fix and restore and oh, we can’t keep that good news to ourselves. My 2 cancers and how He provided for every need spoke louder than I ever could to those around me.
Holley Gerth says
Yes, so true, dear Deb.
Ana says
“Beauty in our Broken Places”… Love what you have written here Holley and I have your book close beside my night table and reflect on it when I’ve been having one of those days which by the way are plenty. I remember reflecting one evening where I felt so worn down, crying in pain and calling out to God, where are you. I need you now, as I was lying in bed thinking my life would be over soon from a recent diagnosis given to me by my doctor. At that very moment as I cried out my head turned right towards the wall and I was instantly reminded of the “cross” and how Jesus had suffered for us and I immediately began to cry and at the moment a peace of compassion and stillness began to filter through my mind as if only Jesus was in the room with me and saying to me, you are not alone I am here and I will always be with you. It was a wonderful reminder to me that Jesus loves me. I felt as though no matter how much pain I was in, Jesus suffering was by far greater and I knew that I would get through this too. God has used me in ways that I would never have thought imaginable and has shown me to be compassionate towards others and to humble myself before Him and I truly believe this was one of His ways to have shown me to live by faith and tell others who are suffering that they are not alone. Thank you again for your wonderful reminder. God bless you Holley, x
Holley Gerth says
So glad my words can be right beside you the way I wish I could be!
kendra@www.abusywomanslife.com says
Simply Beautiful Holley! God uses all the circumstances of our lives-good and bad-to glorify Him.
Blessings,
Kendra
http://www.abusywomanslife.com
Karen says
OK, I’m sold. I’m ordering your devotional book right now! 🙂
BTW I met you at the Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference last Fall. I never got the chance to tell you, but your workshop—the first one I took—about the truffles was so encouraging! I felt some were discouraging regarding the chances of getting published, etc., but I kept holding onto your words because they so ministered to my heart. I’m just putting my ‘truffles’ out there and trusting others will nibble and taste and see that the Lord is good.” With God all things are possible… Yes, we need to face reality, too, regarding the publishing world, but if our God is in control, then nothing is impossible. Whatever the outcome, one book sold or a million, God will use us to His glory. We must always keep our eyes on Him and not focus on becoming the Number One Bestseller. Just follow where He leads and we’re guaranteed to cross the finish line victoriously and hear: ‘well done, good and faithful servant.’
Holley Gerth says
I love that they word you remember me by is “truffles.” 🙂 So good to see your sweet face again here!
Jan Udlock says
“How can you even use me when I’m so broken?”
So true and thoughtful. Holley, He used you to put His finger on my pain. And He will heal me. 🙂
Larie says
I agree Holley. God uses our mess for His MESSage!
smooches,
Larie
Holley Gerth says
Yes and amen, girl!
Alexis says
beautiful message, Holley!
Reminds me of a quote from one of my friends who said, “God takes the broken pieces that Satan leaves behind and makes masterpieces.”
🙂
Annie says
Thank you, Holley. Yes, much of this year has been about walking through brokenness for me, and I am learning that even through the pain of my sister’s death, through much transition, in my own failures- in it all – God is ever after healing and wholeness – His story of redemption and ultimately His own glory. In feebly pressing through the pain, rather then running from it, I’m discovering the beauty of His presence in the valley, and the joy of journeying alongside other sojourners. Thanks, today, for your encouragement along the way.
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
Despite my general self-absorption, I spend way too much time worrying about what a screw-up I am. But what if…
What if God shines thru the painful-work of what He has done in me – so that maybe there IS some splendor – HIS splendor, just showing up in those shiny places where He has had to do lotsa grinding & sanding & polishing…
What if? What if I don’t have to be this pulled-together, pretty picture of a ‘Christian Woman?’ Maybe its okay that I’m just a cranky, critical, suspicious, self-absorbed girl – maybe God can use me anyway – and I ought to trust that He will, and He does, even amidst my constant failures.
Thanks Holley –
Teri
Holley Gerth says
When we let God use us anyway it sure seems He uses us any way (and every way!). He loves you just as you are, friend.
JD in Canada says
Beautiful analogy and truth — and the mosaic photo really brings it home. I love the truths you shared about Easter too — it is in His death that hope was born… very upside down in this world, for sure!
As for your question… I didn’t expect God to bless me with my closest, bestest friend through the Bloom Book Club when we joined at the end of the summer of 2009, but He did, and He wasn’t finished with His unexpected ways. He brought her and I together, two women from broken pasts, to go to Ghana in November 2011 to work with an organization that rescues young children from child slavery. We’ll be there from my birthday to hers, can’t imagine a better way to spend a birthday than to spend it serving Him.
THEN, God didn’t stop there… Even though we’re the simplest, most unlikely people to be chosen by Him for this, He has entrusted us with building a school for these rescued children. We know we can’t raise $30K. Unlikely much? All we need to know is that HE can — He delights in the unlikely and seemingly impossible.
And, THEN… (and I’m sure He’s nowhere near done yet!)… He led another woman from Bloom to our blog post detailing the mission and the school project, and He told her to join us…. there are now THREE Bloom women going to Ghana this November, all from broken pasts… all redeemed by Him and bringing healing to those who are hurting and are in need of love and healing, as we once were.
I am so in love with Him, so in awe of how He redeems the brokenness — He makes it impossible to stay stuck in the hurts of the past when all we can do is hold our eyes steady on Him to watch in anticipation of what He’ll do in the future with the pieces of the past. What an awesome God we serve!
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