Did you know that in order to create stained glass windows and doors, the glass needs to be broken first? So imagine this beautiful sheet of glass, any color you'd like to envision, and imagine it being carefully broken by the creator. Then watch it happen several more times with different colors of glass. To an onlooker, that might not make sense, but as you watch the artist closely, you will begin to see what is being created. Broken pieces of the different glass are placed together in such a way that it creates a picture. The artist is building a masterpiece from the vision in his mind. We can't necessarily see what it will become, but we can trust that the artist is making something good.
I see the beauty in the Body of Christ more than I ever did. We are like the stained glass. It is remarkable the power, comfort, grace, encouragement and validation that can come from our different personalities under the authority of Christ.
A couple of days ago, I made a hurtful mistake that affected other people in the Body. I knew almost instantly that what I had done was not edifying, it was hurtful and impulsive.
I sought out to rectify everything immediately. I spent most of the day on the phone, apologizing.
However, during that time, God showed me another side of the Church.
My apologies were well received and I unexpectedly received a beautiful picture in my head of what the church looks like. I saw the Church as a stained glass window. Why is a stained glass window gorgeous? It's because each of the broken pieces has a beauty to contribute.
God uses us in our broken state in a unified way to present the masterpiece that best glorifies Himself. The church is unlike anything else. We can have multi-generational conversations and friendships. We effect the next generation and follow the previous one and we all learn from each other's mistakes and sins.
That is, He takes all of the mess of our lives and binds us to our fellow brothers and sisters in all of our brokenness.
Be encouraged that you are shining His beauty individually and corporately!
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