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Several years back I was among a group of five or six women who were discussing marriage. As the women who had been married ten, twenty plus years shared our experiences with women who were still hoping to tie the knot someday, I noticed that there was an older woman who listened intently but said nothing during the course of the conversation. My attention quietly shifted from the discussion we were having to her. I wondered why she wasn’t chiming in. While I didn’t know anything about her marital history, I knew she had an adult daughter and grandchildren. I thought, “Surely, she has something of value to contribute to the conversation,” so I thought to invite her in.
When the time seemed right, I asked, “Ms. Such-and-Such, what do you think?” Looking a little caught off guard, she responded, “Oh . . . uh, I don’t know.” Sensing she did know a lot more than she was letting on, probably a lot more than the rest of us, I assured her that we’d love to hear whatever wisdom she was willing to share. At that, Ms. Such-and-Such paused a second and, with the slightest tinge of shame in her voice, said, “I’m divorced.”
One of the things that I love about the Word of God is that it’s filled with real people—imperfect people. As I read about Thomas’ doubt, Peter’s big mouth, David’s adultery, Moses’ anger, Elijah’s fear, Samson’s lust, Jacob’s deceitfulness, Jonah’s rebellion, the Samaritan woman’s failed relationships, Sarah’s laugh, Mary Magdalene’s seven demons, the sordid past of the woman with the alabaster box, and on and on, it gives me hope. I think, “If God could find a way to love them with all their issues, then surely He can love me with all my isms and schisms.” And He does. Right now. Right where I’m at.
I have a friend who uses the term “happy plastic people” to describe those—particularly those in the church—who walk around with these veneers of perfection. Once upon a time, I thought that was the attainment for which to strive. I’ve long abandoned that flawed mindset. I now embrace my humanity—every bit of it, flaws and all. My humanity makes space for God’s grace. My humanity reminds me that I have nothing in which to boast. My humanity sings what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:7: “Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7).
I’ve read the story of the feeding of the five thousand countless times. One time I read it and asked, “Why did Jesus tell the disciples to gather the broken pieces?” Yes, it’s an absolute miracle that there was anything left over at all, considering they started with only five loaves and two fish. But why collect the broken pieces? What was that about? What I believe the Holy Spirit showed me is that God doesn’t waste anything. The broken pieces that the disciples gathered were to be used to feed someone else later. The same applies to your broken pieces.
Revelations 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Our testimonies are powerful. Combined with the authority that we have which was purchased by the death of Christ, our testimonies enable us to overcome whatever our adversary brings our way. Recognizing that, our enemy will do whatever he can to try to keep us from sharing our testimony. Shame and fear are two of his greatest devices. In Revelations 12:10, Satan is called “the accuser of [the] brethren.” Scripture tells us he stands before God, accusing us day and night. I see God’s response to Satan’s accusations against us the same as they were when Satan stood before God accusing Joshua the high priest. Zechariah 3:1-5 says:
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satanstanding at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.
Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”
And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”
So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.
Oftentimes our testimonies are borne of some of the most difficult days of our lives, but the victories they bear speak to the power of our God.
With a little encouraging, Ms. Such-and-Such shared a small bit of her testimony with the women who were gathered that day, and the little she shared was so profound. To this day, her testimony helps me to walk in the freedom that is mine in Christ Jesus. That which the enemy intended to cause her shame caused her to be a blessing instead.
What about you? What are you doing with your broken pieces—that part of your life that the enemy would like for you to bury in shame? Romans 8:1-2 say, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Be free. And purpose in the Spirit to feed others with your broken pieces.
For Further Study
https://www.gotquestions.org/overcome-by-the-blood-of-the-Lamb.html
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