Seeing Our Brokenness as Sacred Space
(Originally penned First Sunday of Lent, March 10, 2019) “ Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart…rend your hearts, not your garments ” (Joel 2:12-13). What came to your mind when you read the title? How do you define brokenness? What is sacred space to you? How can brokenness be sacred space? Perhaps the term “brokenness” or “woundedness” can carry with it a negative connotation. Maybe it means “messiness” or “trouble” or “guilt.” No matter what your definition of “brokenness” may be, the reality is that we are all broken. I am a broken man. And, you too are a broken man or woman. However, my brokenness is different from your brokenness. One important thing we ought to remember is that we are not defined necessarily by our brokenness. For one person, their brokenness could be the constant feeling of loneliness and the fears and insecurities that plague him or her. For another ...