BROKEN PIECES TO A MASTERPIECE

Have any of your plans and dreams been crushed?

“In a certain old town many years ago, there was a great cathedral famous for its unique stained-glass window. People came from miles around just to gaze on its magnificent beauty.  One day, the force of a tremendous storm forced the window in, and it shattered into a hundred pieces onto the marble floor below. The town’s people were heart sick. They gathered up the pieces, put them in a box, and stored them in the cellar.

   One day, a stranger came along desiring to see the famous stained-glass window. The people told him of the window's tragic fate. He then asked if he might have the broken fragments.  "Take them if you wish. They are of no use to us", replied the people.

The stranger carefully lifted the box and carried it away in his arms. Weeks passed; then one day an invitation arrived for the cathedral's custodians. It was from a famous artist, especially noted for his glasswork. When they arrived, the artist ushered them into his studio, where they saw a large, veiled canvas. At a touch, the canvas fell, and the visitors gasped in astonishment at the stained-glass window before them. They had never seen one more beautiful... truly a masterpiece. The artist then explained. "I made this window from the broken pieces you had no use for. Now it is ready to be replaced in your cathedral." (James H. McConkey)

The hectic, unstable nature of our world can leave lives tangled and shattered. The world has no use for such imperfection and brokenness. Satan tries to convince us that we are useless… too many mistakes, too many wrong choices. We are tempted to drift from God, thinking He doesn’t want us either. We could not be more wrong.

Jesus came to forgive, heal, and restore. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). He will gladly take our broken pieces if we put them in His hands.

Jesus is the Master Artist who can take the pieces of our life, no matter how shattered they may appear, and make them into something beautiful for His glory.

Don’t let Satan win by dwelling on the past or your own unworthiness. We are all unworthy; that is why God deals with us in grace, mercy, and unconditional love. Just give it all to the Lord and let Him restore