our world is broken

the horror from the bombing in Boston

Monday was an incredible day.  Incredible in a good way and in a bad way as well.  There were so many people in our world as church celebrating what God had done over the weekend.  We love to serve and about 250 people were fed, over 200 people got help with closes, several homeless friends were helped and encouraged.  The list goes on and on.  Best part about it is that God isn’t done.

God is taking broken people and remolding and strengthening their lives.  I love to watch people walk toward Jesus, and it is awesome from time to time to watch people run toward Jesus.  I got to see that a couple times this weekend with a new friend named Doug, an old friend named Michael and a homeless friend named Travis.  WOW.  God is good.

But there is the bad too.  Our dear and precious friend Leon White continues to battle cancer and gets weaker each day.  I spoke with several people who care deeply for Leon, and it is evident that his life is ebbing away.  Cool part if that Leon is ready to be with Jesus.  But it hurts.  It hurts to see a friend suffer and go through such a difficult time.

Then you move northeast to one of the most prestigious events in the running world, the Boston Marathon, and there is a bombing that kills some people and injuries many people.  This came out of nowhere.  There is little reason and lots of pain.  I heard reports of the pain, the anger, the stress and the tears.  Our world is broken.

Only a couple hours later a friend sent me a news story about a shooting in our town.  The brokenness of life is in our town every day, but we are always hit hard by violent crimes.  I don’t know the details, but I do know that broken people need hope.

We all need hope.  When we find hope, we share hope with others.  Hope has a name.  Our world is broken, and our world needs hope.  Hopes name is Jesus.  Do you know Him?

When the broken world around you is crumbling all around you, who is with you?  Jesus is.  When you can’t answers the questions of the hurting people or the kids who are so innocent, who is with you?  Jesus is.  When your pain is so difficult that all you can do is cry, who is with you?  Jesus is.  Acknowledge him, and let Jesus hold you and help you.

Psalm 34:18  NLT

The Lord is close to the broken hearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 147:3  NLT

He heals the broken hearted and bandages their wounds.

Matthew 9:36  NLT

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Our world is broken and needs hope, and it is through our lives and our stories that people will find real hope.  They will find Jesus.

1 Peter 3:15  NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,