Sparks of light shine through my brokenness....

^{2 Corinthians 4:6-11}

⁶For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. ¹¹For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. (NRSV)

I am beginning this blog after a period of crisis in my life. My purpose in writing about my experience in this format is to share the light with those still living in darkness. I have been afflicted, confused, driven to despair, self-destructive and yet I survive. I survive not by my own strength, not by own will, not by own power. I survive purely by the grace of God. I have been through the depths of depression, and have faced death, yet God's hand lifted me out of the mire and set me on firm ground once again. I am living in a state of grace, have been redeemed from death, and given a new life. I experienced a "peace that surpasses all understanding", and the freedom that comes from accepting my life does not belong to me, it belongs to God.

A popular Indian story called "The Cracked Pot" illustrates the concept of how the Master can use us despite our imperfections or cracks. When our lives feel broken, we can feel useless and worthless. We see no way to repair the damage done. But it is in this state of brokenness, we might become humble enough to ask God to fix our brokenness. We may even discover God works through our brokenness and imperfection to use us in ways we never imagined.

We were created in God's image. He desires us to be his Holy Temples. He wants his Light to shine through us. He has formed us, and he wants to continue to form us.
Will we let the world shape who we are or will we submit ourselves to our Maker and trust him to shape us? Will we let God fill us with his light? Will we bear his light in the world?

May God's light shine forth in your life.