August 10th - Embracing Our Brokenness

In Rob Bell's book Velvet Elvis, the author states "I'm learning that very few people actually live from their heart. Very few live connected with their soul. And those few who do the difficult work, who stare their junk in the face, who get counsel, who let Jesus into all of the rooms in their soul that no one ever goes in, they make a difference. They are so different: they're coming from such a different place that their voices inevitably get heard above the others. They are pursuing wholeness and shalom, and it's contagious."

Last week we discussed what it meant to live from your heart, to live an authentic life. We also discussed the possibility that life can be "full" without being authentic. A life full of things, of clutter, of responsibilities, of busyness, is not an authentic life. An authentic life is found in being true to oneself and embracing God's purpose for your life.

Sounds good… but being true to oneself - What does that really mean? Embracing God's purpose for one's life…. How does one know what that is?

If you are like me, when questions like this arise, you long for a simple answer. A simple truth that sets you free...one that nudges you on your way, turns the darkness into light, clears the haze surrounding your mind, and releases the chains that bind your heart.

I have come to believe that there is a simple answer, but the effectiveness of the answer depends on our ability to embrace our brokenness. To lay it all out before God… the good, the bad, the indifferent.

I encourage you watch the clips from messages given by author and priest, Brennan Manning. The entire first clip is fantastic, but we only watched from minute 5:30 to minute 14:30 in class. The second clip is only three minutes long so we watched it in its entirety. I hope you will take a look.





God's message delivered through Brennan is simple: shape your life around Christ's love. Accept your brokenness and trust Christ to modify your perspective and transform your life.

The road to an authentic life begins with:

1. Embracing our brokenness by turning it over to God
2. The understanding that we do not have to clean up our act before we connect or reconnect with God. He receives us just the way we are.
3. A dependence on God that is so strong, a relatonship so deep, that we are confident in every fiber of our being that He loves us. It is at this point that we may dare to trust! It is trusting in Him that leads to authenticity.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Todd