“There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.”- Victor Hugo, Les Miserables
Ann Voskamp continues Chapter 1 of The Broken Way by wondering how the interior of the soul lives with- and through- broken things. Specifically, Ann asserts the essence of the Christian life lies in the answer to one, nail-sharp question. That question– “God, why in this busted-up world have you abandoned me?” (emphasis author’s)
Yet, Ann adds, the hurting know a strange and aching happiness- a special blessing- for Jesus holds them in His arms. As hurting people, we beseech Jesus to save the crushed in spirit. We pray Jesus makes our suffering turn evil against itself, so that a greater life rises from the dark.
Therefore, Ann underscores, the church must support the suffering and broken to truly witness for Christ. Because, Jesus not only seeks out the places where suffering exists, He stays there. However, Ann notes, faith consists of more than belief in Jesus. Faith includes living that belief.
As a result, Ms. Voskamp describes how this bond becomes forged in the body of Christ:
“The body of Christ doesn’t offer you some clichés, but something to cling to — right here in our own scarred hands. His body doesn’t offer some platitudes, but some place for your pain — right here in our own offered time. . . . we’ll be an example, right her in our bending down and washing your wounds. and we are His and He is ours, so we are each others, and we will never turn away.”
The complex beauty of life breaks open as brokenness makes a canvas for God’s light.
Today’s question: How does your brokenness make a canvas for God’s light in the interior of the soul? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Liniments around the wounded heart”
