PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN Life Style
Chaplain’s Corner Broken Crayons Still Color Catchy title, right? Full
But despite their failures, God forgave, restored, and recommissioned them to do His work. They became the spiritually mature believers Christians (and even non-Christians) have looked to for centuries. But how do we move beyond a stalled or stagnant situation into a spiritually and emotionally growing one? First, we must realize we are stuck. Denial is a powerful component of being human. So we must look inside and choose reality, saying to ourselves, “I’m kind of stuck here in an anguishing rut of life.” We must identify all the areas that have been keeping us stuck. Second, we must turn to God (or perhaps turn back to God). Just like broken crayons still color, and people who failed in the Bible were given chances by God to return to Him, we too can do the same. Returning to God means thinking about why we are stuck and then praying and seeking the Lord for renewal. Additionally, seeking out trusted and wise others can help us in this area. Third, we determine the steps to help us climb out of the rut and move forward into a more meaningful and purposeful lifestyle. This may include editing or discontinuing habits or lifestyles that have kept us stuck. It will consist of adding habits and lifestyles that are spiritually and emotionally helpful. It may signify a shift in friendships or a resolution of tensions or conflicts with loved ones and others. Apologizing is a powerful way to resolve conflicts but requires humility and a willingness to compromise to reach a better understanding. It will certainly include getting any necessary counseling if past traumas have contributed to feeling stuck. It’s a new year, and while New Year’s resolutions mostly lead to failure, renewal is still possible, which leads to a much brighter future. Broken crayons still color. The failures of the past don’t have to keep us stuck, stalled, or stagnant. What changes will you make in 2025 that will lead to a more colorful year?
disclosure: I copied it from a book title. But the principle is good, especially as we
approach January 2025. While this idea holds true in many aspects of life, it’s especially true in the spiritual realm. The Bible is clear: every human is “broken.” This means we all experience failures, errors, bad decisions, strained relationships, and fall prey to painful temptations, among other challenges. Everyone with a conscience can look back at their life and feel regret over situations or choices they wish they could change. Continuing to live with unresolved issues can result in various challenges, such as a person with a substance use disorder persistently struggling with their addiction. It can also lead to a very poor self-image, causing individuals to feel like failures or “losers.” This mindset may make them believe they have nothing positive to offer others, leaving them in a state of depression or hopelessness. Thankfully, we don’t have to stay stuck, stalled, or stagnant. There is hope, lots of hope. Just like broken crayons still color, we can still experience renewal, meaning, purpose, and positive experiences. Most Bible characters experienced failures, painful choices, and decisions that seemed to permanently sideline them or send them to a permanent “losers-ville.” Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, physically abused a servant. Moses murdered a man and remained a fugitive in a foreign land for 40 years before he met God in a “burning bush.” King David committed adultery and then had the woman’s husband murdered. Before Mary Magdalene became a follower of Jesus, she dabbled in the occult. Before he became an apostle, Paul persecuted early Christians, not just imprisoning them but having them executed. And Peter disowned (not just denied) Jesus 3x during Jesus’ trial.
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