First Steps – August 2, 2021

While walking on the beach, I couldn’t help but notice the millions of broken shells.  At some point in their history, they were tossed about over and over; bumping into the sand, rocks, or other shells; eventually, they were fractured. Perhaps a little piece here then a little piece there. Sometime later, the result was something of a small portion of their original look or shape.

There is a part of me that knows this happens to people. Various struggles, problems, circumstances can be like waves that are relentless. A little break here, a little break there can be managed, but when that happens time and time again, the results can be something similar to what I witnessed on the beach—Brokenness.  Over time, people become a fraction of what they once were.

Thankfully, the work of God leads to restoration.  Just as brokenness can happen bit by bit, God’s Spirit restores in the same manner.  2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”  It is that last phrase (italics) that is our hopeful promise of restoration. 

I hope this week your thoughts will rest on the promise of God for transformation.  We all experience brokenness in one degree or another, but the work of God’s Spirit won’t stop in the work of wholeness. Know that at this very moment, God is at work in you.  His desire is restoration.

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• Families in crisis.
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• Those seeking to find their way.
• The St. Paul Church family.
• The United Methodist Church.
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