Broken People, Reaching Broken People.

"Measure your life by loss instead of gain. Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth. For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice and whosoever suffereth most hath most to give."

Hudson Taylor

The idea that those who go through hell and back seem to have more wisdom to give is not new. I love how Hudson Taylor recognized this as he went through his ministry, "whosoever suffereth most hath most to give." If this is true, why do we feel our past sin's shame and hide from it? Because if this statement is true that those who suffer the most have more to give, then we should be taking the lessons of our past sins, mistakes, and life experience to help others who are going through similar situations.

In the book, The Rabbi's Heartbeat Brennan Manning talks about how those who go through AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) have a strong sense of freedom. This is because they are vulnerable with where they are at; they label their sin and seek help to overcome it. They put everything on the table, and with the help of others in the same situation, they move past their addiction. Broken people, helping broken people.

I was thinking about this, I have met several alcoholics over the years, and I'm always amazed when talking with them about their struggles. They never shy away from telling me I am 1 year dry, or I have gone six months without a drink, or even it's been ten years since my last slipup. They don't hide from it; they are proud of it. Why don't we hear similar stories from those who have recovered from an addiction to porn, eating disorders, or self-harm? I remember when my friend announced to the whole church that he struggles with porn, and everyone said, wow, that was brave; I can't believe he admitted that in from of everyone. My response to that was, things like that should be natural for us to admit, and one of the safest places to admit our sins and struggle should be within the church's embrace. How powerful would it be if we all just confessed our sins and weakness, if we were all vulnerable with our past struggles? How much then could the church reach the masses if we just admitted that we are broken and become broken people helping broken people so that Christ in His perfection can shine through.

Is it the shame that holds us back? If so, where is the shame coming from? Do we put it on ourselves, or do we get it by how others reacted to our mistakes? For me, when I see someone who admits their sin and strives to reconcile it and seek healing from God for it. I admire that individual; in fact, I see that as a step of maturity that many of us can learn from. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that he will boast in his weakness... Why? Because Christ's grace is sufficient. This is something that has challenged me lately, that my past experiences and mistakes don't cripple me in how I minister today; in fact, they help me. It causes me to lean and rely on God even more; it also gives me the ability to extend grace because I know that just as you are broken, so am I.

I am still learning a lot about this, and I pray that God will continue to teach me.