Temporary Brokenness

I saw her as I started to pull away.
She was terribly bent over…trying desperately to walk on the sidewalk.
I saw her cane hanging over the edge of the tiny shopping cart.
Her body was twisted slightly on one side as she seemed to drag it along.

I was so afraid she was going to fall.
She was walking along the edge of the curb.
I couldn’t tell if she was going into the grocery store or coming out.
She had a plastic bag in her cart.

My groceries were already in the back of the mini van.
I was headed home.
I approached the end of the aisle in the parking lot.
I could clearly see that she was struggling.

I pulled my car over in the no parking loading zone.
I put my emergency flashers on and got out.
I walk over to her and put my hand on the top of her arm.
My height towered over her small frame.

She let the small cart come down off the curb.
Now she wasn’t holding onto anything.
I was so glad my hand was on the top of her arm.
I didn’t see anyone around that seemed to be with her.

I could not imagine how she got there all alone.

Can I help you?
She mumbled something in reply.
Are you going to your car?
NO…I’m shopping!

Can I help you? I asked again, as I straightened her cart.
No…
She turned her body away from my guiding arm.
She continued to talk as she walked away.
She did not want my help.

I said a quick prayer for her safety…got back in my car…and drove away.

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then He put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what has bound her?” When He said this, all His opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things He was doing.
(Luke 13:10-17)

Legalism.
The Pharisees, chief priests, and teachers of the law only saw broken rules.
They did not see the woman in need.

What if a policeman ticketed my car as I was in the loading zone for those few minutes?
What if the woman got in trouble for walking too close to the curb and allowing her cart to drop into the road?
What if the only response was…We are open 6am to 11pm every day.
Try to come in earlier next time, when it is not so crowded.

Legalism.
No grace.

I long for the day when this woman, and others like her, will not be bent over.
I long for the day when her body will not be twisted, nor will she have to drag it along.
I long for the day when everything is made new.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who is seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:3-5)

We will have glorious bodies on that day.
The brokenness we experience now will be gone forever.

Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, will still have His scars.
Wounds of love.

Our brokenness will be gone and in its place…wholeness.
His perfect, sinless Body…broken for us…will have eternal scars.
It doesn’t seem like a fair trade.

It should astound us!
He loves us THAT much!

Our brokenness is only temporary.
Thank you, precious Lord Jesus.