I had a fender-bender last week. Nope, no one was hurt, thank goodness. However, I did feel my stomach reach my throat as my car lurched forward from being rear-ended. Thankfully, my car wasn’t pushed forward into pedestrian traffic. You just never know when accidents will occur.
The next day I took my car to get a repair estimate. The guy at the paint and body shop is a good friend and a real “hoot,” if you know what I mean. While he was writing up the quote, I noticed on his estimate sheet, “You Bend ‘Em, We Mend ‘Em.” This was classic!
The longer I live the more I realize how much I’ve either bent myself or been bent by life. We all have. Leading recovery groups is a constant reminder of the trials in life. But as a Believer, I have a “mender” that surpasses all understanding. He is my shielder, defender, helper, provider, strength and everlasting hope. I certainly can’t do anything in my own strength. Been there, done that, don’t work.
No matter how “together” I appear, deep down, I’m just like everyone else – broken. How often we try to hide and avoid that brokenness! I often forget that the reason I’m broken is because I’ve done the moving – away from the creator and “mender.” God designed us for fellowship, to live his way.
Jesus came to wipe out our brokenness and forgive us for bailing on God; He came to give us a new life. While we as followers are still broken here on earth, God is working everything for our eternal good now, and we hope for our new life to come without brokenness, with our perfect loving God.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives…” (Isaiah 61:1)
Tagged: forgiveness, hope
