"All my Favorite People are Broken" is a song from Linford and Karen, the amazing husband and wife duo known as Over the Rhine. The song talks about all the pain and sadness the world brings into our lives. It is a song that encourages us to be honest with one another, because no matter how we try to hide it, there is brokenness inside us all.
I have been mulling over this for about a week. On March 15 I learned that a long time friend had passed. While his passing saddens me, he is home with his Savior at last. This particular friend was one of the most complicated people I have ever known. The effects of this broken world and the power of the Blood were in constant conflict.
His funeral was on Saturday. As I listened to the eulogy, the Lord impressed on me that despite this man's brokenness Jesus had used him to bring Glory to God. Despite what many would have called limitations, Jesus took his sincere belief and passionate service and multiplied the fruit hundred fold.
If I am honest, there were times all I saw were pieces, the brokenness. But reflecting on his life, it became clear that Jesus had taken those pieces and built something beautiful. It was encouraging. It was humbling. It brought me to worship the God who can take our lives and bring Glory to Himself. Because, if I am honest, sometimes all I see in my life is the brokenness. My prayer is that Jesus takes these pieces and crafts something beautiful. And along the way, as Linford and Karen remind me, God has given us each other to encourage one another on, to not grow weary in doing good.
Thank you for all the ways you have poured into our lives. We could not do what God has called us to without you! As we enter Holy week, let us remember that it is because of what Jesus did on the cross that any good comes of our beautiful mess.
He is risen!
