The rolling hills engulfed the homestead at the edge of the the valley. There were beautiful views on almost every side with a stream running through the back field. The home looked nice on the outside, well kept and maintained. There were two chimneys, enough to keep a family warm during the assuredly cold winter ahead. As I pulled up to the house, I could see in. There were no curtains, no window treatments of any kind. Although it looked to be a nice cozy house, I could tell now that it had been forgotten, abandoned and left all alone.
Once more I looked inside and saw holes in the wall, and the carpets were stained and the cabinets were in disrepair. As I walked around the house, I spotted the blinds that were once on the windows. They were now in pieces on the floor. Remnants of the previous owners belongings were left inside. The cabinets in the kitchen were open with nothing left inside. There were holes in some of the bedroom walls.
I knew that it would take some work, but there was potential in this house. Starting with electrical work, this house can again shine brightly. The heating and air conditioning unit can be replaced so this home can once again be full of life and function well against the elements outside. The carpet can be ripped out and new flooring put down to the comfort of the new home owners. The sheet rock can be replaced and the walls rebuilt. From inside, the new occupants would have tremendous views of the valley surrounding it.
As I go about the everyday things of life, work, Walmart and even at church; I wonder how many of the folks that I encounter are like that house. Maybe their lights of Hope have dimmed. Maybe they are unaware of how cold they have become, numb to the elements that surround them and can offer no welcome or warmth to strangers in need. Maybe their hearts are rough like the carpeting inside of that house. Not really a safe place to come in for refuge. Maybe they have walls that have been torn down inside that cannot be seen from the outside. Deep wounds and scars have replaced the joy and happiness they once felt. Their faith has faltered and it's hard to believe that anyone cares and maybe they don't even want anyone to.
At some level, we have all been there. Wondering why we have been hurt. Left alone and disappointed. We were born into the brokenness of a world that has been tilted; bent away from it's original design. We love and lose, have our faith and trust in people crushed, dreams that are shattered, wounds that need to be healed. We are weary and worn, battered and bruised.
Some of us have learned Who to take these afflictions to. To the One who was beaten and bruised, betrayed by friends, and ultimately died for our sins. The One who, the Bible says, has Healed us because of the wounds, the stripes, that He took for us. As a result, we can now offer Hope and Healing to these poor, lost and downcast souls, through Him who has done the Healing that we needed. We can take them by the hand and bring them to Him, help them get started on a journey towards Grace and Restoration. Then they can become beacons of Hope and Light that can invite others in and welcome them... help someone else who is hurting, and be a nice, warm and safe place from the storms of life. They can be like a house restored, no longer Broken Inside.
Once more I looked inside and saw holes in the wall, and the carpets were stained and the cabinets were in disrepair. As I walked around the house, I spotted the blinds that were once on the windows. They were now in pieces on the floor. Remnants of the previous owners belongings were left inside. The cabinets in the kitchen were open with nothing left inside. There were holes in some of the bedroom walls.
I knew that it would take some work, but there was potential in this house. Starting with electrical work, this house can again shine brightly. The heating and air conditioning unit can be replaced so this home can once again be full of life and function well against the elements outside. The carpet can be ripped out and new flooring put down to the comfort of the new home owners. The sheet rock can be replaced and the walls rebuilt. From inside, the new occupants would have tremendous views of the valley surrounding it.
As I go about the everyday things of life, work, Walmart and even at church; I wonder how many of the folks that I encounter are like that house. Maybe their lights of Hope have dimmed. Maybe they are unaware of how cold they have become, numb to the elements that surround them and can offer no welcome or warmth to strangers in need. Maybe their hearts are rough like the carpeting inside of that house. Not really a safe place to come in for refuge. Maybe they have walls that have been torn down inside that cannot be seen from the outside. Deep wounds and scars have replaced the joy and happiness they once felt. Their faith has faltered and it's hard to believe that anyone cares and maybe they don't even want anyone to.
At some level, we have all been there. Wondering why we have been hurt. Left alone and disappointed. We were born into the brokenness of a world that has been tilted; bent away from it's original design. We love and lose, have our faith and trust in people crushed, dreams that are shattered, wounds that need to be healed. We are weary and worn, battered and bruised.
Some of us have learned Who to take these afflictions to. To the One who was beaten and bruised, betrayed by friends, and ultimately died for our sins. The One who, the Bible says, has Healed us because of the wounds, the stripes, that He took for us. As a result, we can now offer Hope and Healing to these poor, lost and downcast souls, through Him who has done the Healing that we needed. We can take them by the hand and bring them to Him, help them get started on a journey towards Grace and Restoration. Then they can become beacons of Hope and Light that can invite others in and welcome them... help someone else who is hurting, and be a nice, warm and safe place from the storms of life. They can be like a house restored, no longer Broken Inside.
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