We all have heard this phrase before. Out of brokenness good things come.  Today as I was resting in God’s presence I was reminded of this theme, yet struck with its appropriate timing.

When we think of a season of brokenness, what are some things that mark that place? Barrenness, the absence of God’s voice or sense of direction, in a valley, possibly even somewhat unclean, not worthy, lowly? The list could go on and on, but we all have experienced this seasonal weather. 

But out of such season, God’s amazing work is seen.  There are some Biblical events that draw on this redemptive work, nearly prophetic to speak into our lives of how brokenness is the night before the dawn of increase.

The Israelites.  The Israelites waited a long, long time to enter into the promise that God had for them: the Promised Land.  In actuality, an entire generation had to be taken away before they could inherit that which was theirs from God.  This took forty years of wandering in the wilderness.  I’d say that’s a definite season of brokenness! Doesn’t it feel like we are wondering through the wilderness in our season of brokenness? Yes – and you can see the parallel.  God was preparing the nation for what they were about to enter into – a new, fresh chapter of their walk.  But before they could enter into what God had planned next, they had to be stripped away from what held them back – their past.  Some may say that was harsh, but I say that is beautiful. And God’s hand in our life works the same way.  Sometimes in our broken state God uses that time to wipe away what holds us from growing in Him – our past, sins, strongholds, walls, etc.  And this births something beautiful. For the Israelites, it was the land promised to their forefathers.  For us, it’s entering into a season of new heights in the Lord, opportunities, and growth.

The Manger. We are familiar with the account of Jesus’ birth.  There was no room at the inn, and therefore Mary and Joseph found rest in a stable.  What was the stable like? Dark, dirty, smelly, and uncomfortable.  Doesn’t that sound like brokenness? In that season we feel uncomfortable, sometimes spiritually smelly, dark, and neglected.  But what was the stable a foundation and back drop for? The most amazing event ever to happen in humanity: the birth of the Son of God.  It wasn’t by coincidence that God ordained such a setting for the birth of Jesus.  Let’s apply this to our lives.  First the fact that Jesus resides in us is in itself a parallel.  But beyond this, out of our brokenness there is an amazing event that takes place.  God turns our mourning in joy and makes beauty from the ashes we find ourselves in.  And it births the amazing love and work of God!

Winter transforms to spring. What an amazing natural reflection of this concept! I don’t know about you, but I love being out in nature.  It truly adds to my appreciation of God’s creation and His amazing creativity.  Once again, I don’t think its coincidence that we can see His truths represented here as well.  Winter represents a cold, quiet, dark season.  Hmm, I think that sounds like brokenness again! And when it almost seems like we can’t take the cold anymore, when we all want to move to the warmth, something remarkable happens.  We start to a touch a color, a bud of life here and there.  And then almost instantaneously we a swept away from the cold, barren season of winter into the burst of life that spring brings.  When we are in a dark, barren season, it almost feels like we can’t hold on.  We almost can’t make it. But at this point where we lose our own strength in trying to make it ourselves, God’s strength entirely takes over and that’s when we see it.  A ray of light here.  A spark of life there.  And then all of a sudden our lives burst forth with amazing renewed life in God, filled with passion and fervor.  This indeed is something beautiful.

So in all of this, it is so true to say that brokenness births beauty.  Though sorrow lasts for the night, joy breaks with the dawn.  It’s a new day. Embrace the work of the Lord and allow beauty to be birthed from your season of brokenness.

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

-lyrics from Nichole Nordeman’s “Every Season”