The countercultural view of brokenness that Christianity teaches was not easy for me to accept. I grew up believing in the American Dream. Work hard and have the perfect life. My view was distorted. It had taken my focus off of God’s unfailing love.I had allowed the world to speak to my soul and feed me lies.
I realized that our culture preaches and teaches perfectionism. Although everyone knows that perfection is impossible, we are all being persuaded to strive toward that goal. This unattainable objective is pushed on us constantly. The daily encouragement from the media is, “you deserve perfection”. Online dating sites encourage us to find “the perfect mate”. Commercials for face cleansers talk about the “perfect complexion”. We can have the perfect kitchen if we use the right home improvement store. And all of this will lead to a perfect life if we attain it all!
By contrast, sitcoms make fun of people who are different or imperfect. Bullying is a growing issue. Hate crimes against people we consider damaged are sadly becoming commonplace. To our shame, we have so devalued imperfect people that our society encourages the abortion of babies that in any way do not meet up to our flawless expectations. We forget that God knew exactly who he was creating. We as a society have standards of perfection that no one can attain to. It is an illusion because everyone is broken.
The world’s view has serious ramifications. By preaching perfection and disdaining brokenness we have encouraged broken people to hide. They put on a mask and pretend that all is well. This saves them from the embarrassment of not measuring up and the pain of admitting they are damaged. As they suffer, they feel more and more devalued. They know they are broken, and wonder what significance they have in this life.
I know because I was one of the broken people. When serious brokenness came into my life, I felt worthless. I could not see how I could be a part of God’s glorious work in our world. It seemed that I had outlived my usefulness. The pain was unbearable. But God continued to love me and reveal Himself to me.
In time, I understood what the Psalmist said in Psalm 31. “I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (vs. 12-16). I was saved by his unfailing love. I am broken, but not trash, God loves me with unfailing love.
Glorify and Enjoy
shereenlashua.com
Our world may be broken, but God’s love is always stable and perfect! God made the world and the universe absolutely perfect from the beginning. There was no death before the Fall. But even after the Fall (Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit), the world was still in perfect uniform; the Antediluvian Period (before Noah’s Flood). Back then, people were in excellent health; their life expectancy was 900+ years! Our current life expectancy is only 70-80 years. There was this Vapor Canopy above the earth, which kept the earth’s temperature at uniform mild comfort (72 degrees F.). Plants grew everywhere on Earth, even at the Poles! Even Antarctica was a tropical paradise. But then, after Noah’s Flood, things changed drastically; climates were now different, some places too hot, others too cold; high winds; floods and droughts; which is why the dinosaurs became extinct. Dinosaurs can’t survive in today’s climate-changing world. And of course, all kinds of diseases are rampant in today’s world (e.g. common cold). Fortunately, God gave us an immune system. And even in the midst of a broken world, God still loves us (John 3:16). And may God so richly bless you!
Jay C. Smith
Houston, Texas
Thank you for your added insight. The fall definitely caused huge changes to the perfection that God designed, as you pointed out. Isn’t it great that in the midst of it all we can depend on God’s unfailing and everlasting love. Blessings to you!
Wow! this is wonderful!