But...Brokenness?? The Cross??

"Preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."

The message of the Cross. How stark and cold and cruel. How marvelous, how wonderful, how rich the Love, the Sacrifice poured our for me. How real it is, in contrast with the fakeness, the frivolity, the emptiness which the World has to offer. 

"Take up your cross and Follow Me. [Not Billy Graham. Not your parents. Not Oswald Chambers. Not Bill Gothard. Not Neil Anderson. Not Ken Ham. Not your friends. Not your pastor.]"

Oh, the misery, the pain, the heartache? 

No! 

The Joy. The perfect Love, that permeates and flows and casts out fear. The Freedom. Complete. 

The brokenness? Yes. But rushing in between and encircling round those broken pieces is flowing the Love and Light of Jesus Christ, Filling, Restoring, Healing, making all things new. It is now His Story, bringing only Him Glory. 

Restoration...

Reconciliation...

Renewal.

All thru and because of those broken pieces. 

"I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Live within My Love. When you obey Me you are living in My love..."