“Then he who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5

Broken Things

In the last two years I have had to replace almost all the major appliances in my home. Some had served me well for twenty-plus years and others had an untimely death. Of course I moaned about the timing of these expenses. Some happened during the holidays and some when money was extra tight.

I complained about the waste of money on these 21stcentury wonders, instead of enjoying the fresh upgrades. I worried about how to pay for all the things I “didn’t need,” and second-guessed my choice to replace the old instead of trying again to repair it.

Today it occurred to me that I sometimes do that spiritually. Many things besides appliances break and quit working: relationships, health, jobs, motivations, desire. I asked the Lord today, “Am I moaning about the things that seem broken and aren’t working for me, instead of trusting You to make it new? Am I enjoying all the new things You have given me, the new work You are doing, or am I stuck grieving the loss of what was? Lord, are You about to bring newness out of the broken, yet I can’t receive it because it is like nothing I’ve ever known before?”

When God allows something to break, it comes with an assurance that He has our best in mind (Romans 8:28).

When Jesus broke bread, many were fed (Mark 8:20, Luke 9:16).

When Jesus broke bonds and chains, new life came to the demon-possessed (Luke 8:29).

When He ate with His disciples and broke bread, a new covenant was born (Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19).

My new washer runs so quietly, my refrigerator has ice and water in the door, and my dishwasher has a cool rack for all the odd-shaped utensils. My anxiety has bowed to praise.

“Thank You, Jesus, for Your life broken for me to have a new one. Thank You for working in what ‘was,’ and now I give You praise for the work You are doing today in what seems broken to me. I trust You to make all things new in Your time. Amen.”