We don't have to look far in our world today to know that something is broken. The headlines, news teasers, social media posts, and our broken hearts shout from our pain: "Something's wrong, deeply flawed, and irreparably broken with our world!" The following lyrics from long ago captured the emotions of our pain and frustration well:

Shattered
Like a windowpane
Broken by a stone
Each tiny piece of me lies alone
And scattered
Far beyond repair
All my shiny dreams
Just lying there [NOTE]

Our world, our bodies, and our hearts all get broken in the process of life. But, why?

Why would a loving God allow our world to become so broken and his people to be so fragile?

Why would a loving God create our world in a way that it is so broken and our hearts so breakable?

Why did this brokenness, this pain, this shattering, come upon us if it is not God's intention for us?

James Nored reminds us in today's video that the world we have now is NOT what God intended, and it is NOT the world that our Father's children will inherit:

If you can't see the video, and you sure don't want to miss it, view it online. For additional ideas to consider and some things to discuss with others, we encourage you to look at the Study Guide.

The "Story of Redemption" reminds us that God's children will inherit a better world. In fact, that better world depends upon the full adoption of God's children when Jesus returns. In this glorious moment, both God's children and our broken world will be made new. The apostle Paul said it this way:

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:18-21).

If creation waits in eager expectation, shouldn't we?

Paul didn't utter these words in the protective cocoon of religious safety or naïveté. In fact, as he awaited his own execution at the hands of a combination of murderous religious hate and political power, Paul reiterated a similar hope. In the face of death, he held this expectation with deep conviction and longing. The old and imprisoned apostle trusted that a time was coming when all the mess of our world, along with all of our pain, would end; both we, along with our broken world, would be reborn into our promised and glorious future in Jesus:

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8 NLT).

Our redemption, our world's redemption, is coming with our Redeemer, Jesus. A new future awaits. Yes, our worlds and our hearts are broken and shattered, but not irreparably because of the redemption that is ours in Jesus.

What excites you about this hope?

In the face of death, he held this expectation with deep conviction and longing.
What do you long for most in this redemption of all things?

Jesus is the goal of our journey. We hope you will continue the journey with us as we keep asking questions and looking for answers that lead us closer to the Creator's destination for all of us. We want you to join us in finding our story caught up in God’s glorious “Story of Redemption”!

Until next time, let's stay the course and keep seeking lasting truth about God, life, and the meaning of our journey!

[NOTE] Lyrics by Jimmy Webb lyrics, and sung by Linda Ronstadt. I share this link to help you hear Linda's beautiful voice before Parkinson's disease stole it from her. Our own bodies' decay and vulnerability to diseases are poignantly and tragically illustrated in Linda's life. Our prayers are with her and all who battle the fragility of their being with the determination of their wills and the faith in their hearts.