From Broken to Chosen

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The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7

This week, I was blessed to reconnect with my original home church, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth. Many professional and life decisions in my life resulted in a series of moves out of state and later to other parts of Texas. But this week, I attended a class to connect back to the church.

In the classroom were others like me, all coming home to the church or joining the church for the first time. There were people of all ages. Some had moved to other states and now returned, and some had only recently moved to town. As I scanned around the room, I wondered where they each were in their own faith journeys.

We might look at other people’s lives and think: They have it easy. No wonder they are so cheerful. In truth, we don’t know what others face, and yet, through our own trials, we reason everyone has it easier; everyone is happier. We might even believe our lives are in such bad shape that we cannot be helpful to anyone, especially God. 

A walk through the Bible tells a different story. We find that the people God used the most were in the most turbulent times of their lives. Joseph was chosen yet found himself in a pit. Moses was chosen to be exiled and later carried the faith, and led the Jews to the edge of the promised land. Ruth was chosen in grief but found faith in a second chance of life. Paul, a man hated by those of faith, was chosen while breathing threats against the Jews. Paul was later beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Many people in the Bible who have influence today had the hardest of lives. Yet God used them to carry out His bigger plan.

We also have parts to play in God’s plan. We may not see someone thrown into a pit by their own family, but we can offer support to those in the pit of despair. We can volunteer at a food bank or bring food to a shelter. We can help a teen estranged from their family to reconnect or provide support to others as we mend our own families. 

We may not lead a nation across the desert, but we can lead a child to God. We can teach Sunday School, write Biblical stories for children, and invite children to spend time in church activities with Christian role models.

We may not have to abandon our former lives because of grief, but we can offer support, sit with someone who is grieving, take a meal to a grieving family, offer a ride to church, or sit with them during the message.

God not only comforts broken people, He chooses them.

God uses times of despair, grief, and even abandonment as opportunities for us to grow in faith. It has often been said that the best way to help yourself is to help others. God knows this. Christians know this. This is why community is important not only to reach out to others but also to strengthen our own faith.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

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