Strong in the Broken Places

“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: Let the weak say, I am strong.” –Joel 3:10 . “Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.-2 Corinthians 12:10. “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV).

Ernest Hemingway, the American novelist, wrote: “Everyone is broken by life and afterward some are stronger in the broken places.”

Senator Max Cleland, fourteen years Georgia’s Speaker of the House and later U. S. Senator from Georgia entitled his book of memoirs about his experiences in the Vietnamese War Strong at the Broken Places. Due to his injuries in battle, both his legs were amputated above his knees as well as his right forearm. At age twenty-five, he faced the rest of his life as a triple amputee. But he did not allow his infirmities to prevent his following the course he felt he should pursue in life. His testimony, “Strong at the Broken Places” has inspired many to reconsider and persevere.

Being strong at the broken places sometimes means making a complete about-face in the direction we are headed. The prophet Joel had some advice along this line as he advised that we turn implements of peace into defensive weapons. On the other hand, the prophet Micah, in predicting the ‘Day of the Lord,’ told of the time when followers of the Lord will turn swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Paul claimed boldly that God’s grace is sufficient and enables him to “glory in infirmities.” With Christ’s strength, we can overcome and be “strong at the broken places.”

In late April, 2015, a portion of the nation of Nepal was overridden with a terrible earthquake. Persons I know here have relatives and friends living there who were in the path of the destruction and lost homes, goods and some lost lives. The sorrow has been deep and the efforts to overcome disaster has taken great courage and determination. But Christians among them have been able to yield gratitude for life and the ability to pick up the pieces, to “be strong and the broken places,” and move forward.

Troubles come to every human—

This is a well-known fact of life.

But with the right attitude and purpose

We can meet and deal with strife.

Sharp pangs need not long deter us

In the paths that we must take;

Faith lends strength in broken places

If right choices we can make. (-EDJ)

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 05.03.2015