He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3  (NIV)

The other day, I went for a run in a park by my house. When I was done I was feeling pretty beat both physically and emotionally as I had a lot on my mind. I happened to sit maybe eight feet away from a small tree which had a nice, thick, healthy head of branches and leaves on its top. The tree itself was probably only eight feet tall. There was one branch, however, that was broken but still attached to the tree and the end of the branch, full of leaves, was on the ground. Interestingly, the leaves on that branch were more pleasant looking. The leaves on the top of the tree were a dark murky green while the leaves on the broken branch were a bright green and quite beautiful.

I'm not a botanist, maybe there's a scientific reason behind that, but I can definitely say that the broken branches leaves were far more beautiful than the ones in tact. A few minutes later, a nearby bird flew to the tree and landed comfortably on the broken branch. Yet another thing baffled me. Why would the bird bother flying on the broken branch?

After some prayer, some thoughts came to my mind.

Look at the Scripture above. Jesus Christ is in the business of mending broken hearts, broken people, and broken places. We are broken both because of what people have done to us and what we have done to ourselves - broken from the people who sin against us and the sin we commit against ourselves and others. 

Jesus doesn't simply let us stay in our brokenness. Not only will He comfort us when we call upon Him as the Scripture above says as well as this one:

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me. - Psalm 50:15 (NASB)

But Jesus Himself was broken for us when He was tortured and died on the cross. This is what He meant when He instituted communion:

...and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." - 1 Corinthians 11:24 (NLT)

Jesus knows what it's like to be broken and can relate to us. Though He never sinned, He was and is sinned against. Some might say that He can't relate to our sin. But:

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

I'm not sure if anyone can fully understand that intellectually, but I can go as far as to say this much - the punishment of sin was put on His body and soul when it should of been on ours. If that isn't relating to sin, I don't know what is.

When things are broken, they're usually useless. But God brings a whole lot of usefulness to and out of the brokenhearted:

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

What are you broken up about today? My encouragement to you is understand that like the bird I described earlier, Jesus will fly right to you in your brokenness and despite it. Broken can't stop Him, He just uses it to His advantage:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

The branch I described was broken, but still a part of the tree. We need to remember that even though we're broken, turning away from God will do us no good:

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5 (NIV)

But turning to Him who never turns away:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Feel free to leave your prayer requests and keep watch for a new entry on this subject coming soon LORD willing. God bless!