 Stained glass looks the same as regular glass in the dark, and we are captivated by the beauty of such art only as it reflects the light. Especially in the warmth of the sun, the stained glass develops rich colors that are lacking even in normal light. And as I looked at how the light cast a stunning quilt on the space behind it, I was reminded that light was shining through shattered pieces.
Those once-shattered pieces had been masterfully put back together -- to do exactly what it was doing now. If they had been in whole sheets the way they had been originally produced, they couldn't come close to having the beauty they were now displaying. This is how God works with our broken pieces -- He doesn't merely restore. A repaired pane of glass is not the goal. That would merely be a poor copy of what once was. God redeems. He takes what is broken and recreates something more precious to reflect His goodness. That is what the Master does in our lives. Once in a while, a movie quote hits you in a way that has nothing to do with the movie. I unapologetically love sports movies. And I was watching Miracle, the story of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team. The head coach knew his team may not win. But, Herb Brooks told his wife, what is most important is that they are able to look back on this game and know they left it all on the ice. And I heard that and stopped thinking about hockey because I want to leave it all on the ice for Christ. One of these days, our lives will come to a close. And we will all look back on our lives, and the important thing is that we have left it all on the ice. Our best efforts, laid at Jesus' feet. Our treasure, found in Him. Our loyalty, clinging to Him. All of us, given wholly over to Christ. That is what is most important.  That night as I walked home, I indulged in my own playlist. All the previous songwriters had a nugget of truth in their compositions. Human love is beautiful and frail. At its best, it consumes, and at its worst, it destroys. It fails to be the ultimate solace, and yet, in some ways, it is the best impersonation of what our souls truly desire. Because we were made for Love. We were made for God. And as I listened to my soundtrack, I found one more proof that we were made for God. Our souls find what all those musicians kept searching for, but we find it in Christ. Not just when we are walking in close fellowship with our Savior -- but each time we come crawling back after repenting of our rebellion. Not just when we are experiencing emotional highs in our relationship with Christ -- but in the darkest seasons of suffering. "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee." -- St. Augustine, Confession, Book 1  As I listened to my friend's soundtrack, I realized the musicians were making arguments. If only they could have heard all the arguments together. One said money isn't enough. The next, that success didn't satisfy. Another, even the comfort of their lover seemed empty. If they were to be believed, together they were building that case: nothing is enough. The natural reaction to this is hopelessness -- which also found its place among the many lyrics. And the fact that we recognize vanity (see Ecclesiastes) and despair is a heart-breaking proof that: We were made for God. The one place none of these songs turned to for solace.   Further on down the playlist, equally impassioned musical artists gave full vent to their frustrations. It was a duet, with both boyfriend and girlfriend, each voicing their disillusionment with love -- he jealously raging because she left him for another man and her bemoaning that he didn't treat her right and would never change. But they both agreed, human love was the same thing over and over.
Yes, because human love is not enough. He was jealous because he was right: this kind of love is designed to be exclusive. She was hurt because she was right: this kind of love is designed to be selfless. God designed love this way, an outflowing of His perfect character, perfectly loyal and willingly sacrificial. The fact that we seek what we cannot find in others nor give to others is proof: We were made for God.  I was listening to a friend of a friend's recording. And honestly, I tuned most of it out until I heard a line of lyrics: "The dark is not dark when you are there." I knew those words...but they don't apply to a person. They apply to God (Psalm 139:12).
The fact that we use them -- and other like descriptors to describe human love and human lovers -- is merely a demonstration of the truth: We were made for God, Who truly has dominion over darkness. He is not just a temporary emotional high like human love -- but an eternal Love that destroys ALL darkness. That is the lover the songwriter was longing for yet didn't know. Even in their celebration of a lover, the lyricist was giving voice to the true depth of their need. They thought this need would be satisfied in this person -- but as later songs would tell us, all human lovers fall short. Because we were made for God.  But ultimately, my leaf is clinging in vain. If it makes it to spring a new leaf will push it off – because that is the cycle of life and growth in a tree. And even if it smothered the new leaf, one day, eventually, the tree will die unable to sustain life.
But my clinging is not in vain! My Savior is sustains me without any hope of anything in return. He is unchanging in His perfection. And everyone of His life-giving promises He will keep. One day He will return and give everlasting life to those who trusted in Him. And no-one who clings to Him will be put to shame (Romans 10:11).  In a weird way, the leaf reminded me of this overlook. This overlook is in Texas and commemorates four siblings who lost their lives. How could parents possibly cling to Christ in the midst of such heartrending devastation?
The leaf told me the answer. We abide in Christ in the darkest hours because He has trained us to abided with Him on the sunny days. Day in and day out through smaller crises and lighter assaults we hang on...meaning we trust Him, that His plans are good, His knowledge supreme, and His power perfect. And then when disaster comes, we don't have to do anything different. We just hold on to the One Who is holding on to us.  Stained glass of Jesus with the children, Jesus the Good Shepherd, and Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. It is hanging on. One yellow leaf, outside of my office window, clings tenaciously to the dry limb of its tree. And not to state the obvious, but it’s January.
This leaf doesn’t know what Jesus said in John 15:5; “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit for without Me you can do nothing.” The leaf only knows the basics: its life comes from the tree. And so, it has hung on through wind and rain and cold and is still hanging on. I looked at that leaf today and wished I focused on Christ during the hard things with that kind of faithfulness and fortitude. And thought: “If I want to cling to Jesus like that, what is one thing I can do?” Traditionally, cathedrals have been built in the shape of a cross. The National Cathedral follows this tradition. Traditionally, cathedrals have a raised pulpits at the head of the cross. The National Cathedral follows this tradition. And traditionally, only ordained ministers are allowed to speak from the pulpit. On a tour of the National Cathedral, the tour guide told the story of a president who knowing this tradition, chose to speak from a lesser podium. The story stuck with me. Maybe I would have figured that so many other people had already dishonored the pulpit...why shouldn’t I? I am the president and I certainly could do better than them. But the point wasn’t what “everyone else” had done or failed to do. The point was that president had the option to honor himself or to honor God – and chose God. Day in and day out we have similar situations. Honor our parents. Respect marriage. Speak the truth. Treat God’s grace like a gift not a right. We too can choose to lift God high or bolster ourselves. But as Christ said: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11  |
The AuthorCome with me as we grow in fellowship with each other and our Savior to whom belongs the Amazing Escape from sin and death and the Amazing Journey into glorious life. Archives
January 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed