Wrecked: to reduce to a ruinous state
In my life I have experienced my fair share of being completely and totally reduced to a state of ruin and despair. Over the past few years my life has been a roller coaster of euphoric highs and devastating lows that have tested my faith in the God I serve. Even this past week I have struggled with a debilitating depression that seems to cloud the work of God in my life. He seems absent and once again I feel wrecked and powerless.
No one loves to feel humbled and helpless, we are prideful humans whom strive to maintain our dignity in all circumstances. We mask our problems in public, display a perfect front on social media, and fear the revelation of our crumbling reality. Society has taught us to appear presentable and put together at all times. However, in the chaotic world we call home, giant wrecking balls regularly crash into our lives without warning leaving us alone and hopeless.
Becoming a Christian, it is easy to assume these devastating blows will disappear as we now serve an Almighty and all-powerful God who created the universe. Truthfully, God promises trouble (John 16:33) for those who commit their lives to Him. Unlike the chaos of the world, God’s wrecking process has a specific purpose to better the lives of those who engage in the fight. Reducing us to a broken state, while painful for the God who daily pursues us and loves us, allows Him to work in ways previously prevented by our selfish human nature. We become moldable clay in the hands of a master potter. As with me, when I was reduced to a state of child-like helplessness through my illness, I truly realized my need for a Savior to walk with me through this life. In my surrender He is able to work more fully than when I was packed with pride, control, and self sufficient fantasies.
Wrecking, in the Christian sense, should not be viewed with judgement or disgust by those who believe in Christ. Instead it should be seen as beautiful. Now, don’t get me wrong it is incredibly painful and difficult to endure because our flesh fights against what is pure. Wrecking reveals the sin, guilt, and shame we try so hard to hide, but at the feet of Jesus we begin to experience a freedom and mercy like never before. Rather than ridiculing us for our inability to survive alone He gently picks up our broken pieces and promises to restore them in a way that outshines our wildest dreams for our life. Hebrews 11 is overflowing with examples of men and women whom faced persecution, rejection, murder, slavery, and mockery. Each were wrecked in every sense of the word. Hebrews 11: 13-16:
“13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
By faith, their wrecking brought glory and recognition to God, fulfilling our God given purpose to long and prepare for the heavenly kingdom. We may never personally experience the fruits of our labor while on earth, but God uses each of us in faith, in weakness, and in the wrecking to build His kingdom and promote His glory throughout the world. How beautiful is this picture?
God wrecks us in a breathtaking way that strips us bare in front of Him and leads us to complete surrender. I remember vividly feeling the wrecking of God one night as I sobbed in my car realizing all He has brought me through, and the meaningful results of His work. This wrecking brought me a life that I no longer feared, a sense of purpose by providing dreams of missions to the Dominican Republic, and a sense of worth in being called His child.
My loves, do not be afraid of being wrecked for God. He will fill your cracks with gold, allowing you to hold and pour His precious gift of eternal life and love over the world if you let Him.