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Broken and Blessed - Monday Manna

By Reverend T.J. Lucas


The trials of our life often become the good soil of growth for our future for ourselves and those who come after us.
The trials of our life often become the good soil of growth for our future for ourselves and those who come after us.


We had a really wonderful weekend at The Reformed Church. Saturday we participated in the Scottdale Community Yard sales. We sold 160 grilled hot dogs! We also had other items from our kitchen and then a rummage sale in our fellowship hall with a couple people who set up tables with us. It was a privilege to pass on our church's candy making supplies to an up and coming chocolatier in the area. That is the beautiful thing about purging what we can no longer use. It can have new life with someone else! While I lament we cannot rekindle the candy making days of old in our congregation, I rejoice that we are doing finding a new rhythm and direction as a congregation.


Speaking of rhythm, we continued our sermon series on Finding God in Secular music with a special U2charist service--a communion service set to the music of U2. Building on the question raised from Motley Crue last week, "Where does music come from?" This Irish rock band from Dublin answered some of that creative mystery with songs like, I still haven't found what I'm looking for, a song about scaling the highest mountains and surviving the depths of the human experience only to still be seeking. That is what it is to be a Christian--to not find a comfort zone but instead to continuously be formed and reformed in the way of Christ. Discipleship is a life long looking for God in everyday life. a Life long of asking where does this all come from then going forth to see. While U2 is not within the Christian genre of music, their songs are rich with Christian imagery and messaging. Theologians who have written on this song point to Saint Augustine's quote, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You."


We framed this music with the scripture for this Sunday where we find Jacob still on the run even after getting everything he ever wanted. He wanted his brother's birthright. He got it with a bowl of stew. He wanted his brother's blessing from his father. He got it with a deceptive disguise. He wanted Rachel's hand in marriage. He worked seven years for his uncle and got Leah. The deceiver got deceived himself so he worked another seven years and got Rachel. He wanted wealth, he out maneuvered Laban and ended up with abundance. Whatever he set his mind to, Jacob achieved yet he still hadn't found what he was looking for and his brother was still pursing him.


He sends his family and fortune ahead to the other side of the river as he awaits his brother's arrival. This long awaited moment where the beef between them would be settled. As he waits on the shore, he ends up wrestling with a mysterious man until daybreak. Scholars have argued for centuries who that was--an angel, God, Christ. Jacob tells us what he thinks in the naming of that place--Peniel, face of God. He says I faced God and survived. Which is true, he would not let go in this wrestling until he was blessed even after a blow to the hip which would leave him broken the rest of his life, walking with a permanent limp. The broken part didn't matter, the blessing did.


God is always meeting us in broken places. In fact, God does some of His best work blessing broken things. Look to Jesus in the NT passage for this week. Jesus breaks up a meager meal of five loaves and two fish and feeds five thousand with a 12 basket surplus at the end of it. In the Lord's supper which we shared in this week, we remember Jesus breaking the bread and foreshadowing his own broken body. Two places of brokenness where we find our strength renewed in God's blessings and abundance.


The overall message here too us is that our trials do not disqualify us from triumph. Our brokenness is our blessing too. It is not the opposite of blessing, it is where God does some of His best work. Jacob's worst nights became places of divine encounter. That is why I always say, the devil loves a comfortable Christian or person because they do the work for him. They aren't genuinely challenging themselves in the way of Christ. They aren't trying to grow. They feel as if they have already arrived. Don't fear the path before you and the steps you must take into the unknown. God is always with you and God doesn't need you to be perfect or whole first. God tells us to fear not and to move forth even with a mustard seed of faith. Jacob was not a great human being by any means but God used him and blessed him anyway. Imagine what God will do for you. You are not your diagnosis, finances, losses, or anything else that is wearing you down. You are a beloved and blessed child of God.


This week, take a moment to engage in our weekly spiritual practice of dwelling in the word. You will encounter in our upcoming readings, Joseph--son of Jacob. One of the most famous quotes from his story comes after a period of betrayal and darkness in his life where God transforms him and makes his dreams come true. To which he says, "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) So again, broken and blessed. Thanks be to God.


Kick off your week with the Word of God through our weekly spiritual practice of Dwelling in the Word:


The Four Movements of Lectio Divina AKA Dwelling in the Word

Taking time to slow down and simply dwell in the Word is one of the most life-giving rhythms we can cultivate. In a world that constantly demands we read for information or efficiency, this spiritual practice invites us to read for intimacy and transformation. It is about letting the text master us, rather than us trying to master the text.


Here is a simple, four-step guide to help you sit with the Scriptures, followed by brief, clear summaries of the passages you've selected to guide your reflection.


Before you begin, find a quiet space, take a few deep breaths, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak.


1. Lectio (Read): Read the passage slowly, gently, and preferably aloud. Don't rush to finish. Just listen for a single word, phrase, or image that seems to shimmer or catch your attention.


2. Meditatio (Reflect): Read the passage a second time. Take that specific word or phrase and chew on it. Why did the Spirit highlight this for you today? How does it intersect with your current joys, burdens, or questions?


3. Oratio (Respond): Read the passage a third time. Now, turn your reflections into an honest prayer. Talk to God as you would a trusted friend — pour out your gratitude, your doubts, your requests, or your repentance based on what the text stirred up.


4. Contemplatio (Rest): Read the passage one final time. Release all your thoughts and simply rest silently in God's presence, letting His love wash over you like a deep exhale.


Scripture Summaries for Reflection This Week

Use these one-line summaries of the text to pick which scripture you will dwell in each day of this week. I have found staying in one scripture for a longer period of time can draw out more than bouncing between several. These are from the Revised Common Lectionary. You can read them in full all together here


 
 
 

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