I interact with a lot of wounded people. My books and a big hunk of my writing have been directed toward those who are beaten up by life, religion and too often by other people in the church. There is a better way. A song titled “Where The Healing Begins” by one of my favorite groups, Tenth Avenue North, describes that way.
So you thought you had to keep this up
All the work that you do
So we think that you’re good
And you can’t believe it’s not enough
All the walls you built up
Are just glass on the outside
All of those years of working hard (and then harder) to be Godly and I found out to my great sadness that it wasn’t enough. Not only was self-effort not enough it was counterproductive to my desire to experience God’s presence and love. The walls so carefully constructed were, in fact, see-through to those who really knew me well. I picture that in my sadness and tiredness God smiled. He didn’t smile because I was suffering or sad. He smiled because I was finally ready for grace. At the point of brokenness I was ready for the healing to begin.
So let ’em fall down
There’s freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We’re here now
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you’re broken within
The light meets the dark
Coming to the point where I was broken and realizing my own inability to walk this journey of faith is where the healing began for me. Letting the walls down and trusting God and others with who I really am is where the healing continued. Understanding and trusting that I am completely forgiven and my past is completely forgotten is where the healing became real. Knowing that Jesus loves me desperately on my worst day is where the healing began to translate to the daily walk.
Afraid to let your secrets out
Everything that you hide
Can come crashing through the door now
But too scared to face all your fear
So you hide but you find
That the shame won’t disappear
For too many years I danced that awkward and ugly dance of hiddenness and shame. For so many anguished years I thought that if I was a better Christian this wouldn’t, this couldn’t, be happening. If I prayed/studied/fasted/read/attended more church events I would be more Godly. I was depending on the wrong source.
When you come to where you’re broken within
The light meets the dark
Sparks will fly as grace collides
With the dark inside of us
So please don’t fight
This coming light
Let this blood come cover us
His blood can cover us
This is where the healing begins
I love the image of grace invading the darkness and sparks of healing flying as the truth about me was set free. I am a child of God who is deeply loved. For decades I lived with a God who I suspected had a contractual obligation to love me because of Jesus but who was generally disgusted with me. I fought grace because it seemed too easy. Not spiritual. Not enough sacrifice. Not enough obedience. Not enough…me. Paul wrote this to the Church at Ephesus.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2, NLT)
My fear of punishment led to strained and inconsistent compliance with a law I couldn’t possibly keep. Grace and forgiveness have led to joyful obedience nourished by gratitude and love. That is the product of the healing power of grace and I second my brother from Taursus. I can take NO credit for this.
Ronald Hansen
Jesus Christ is the focus of Christian healing ministries that are freeing people from the pain associated with unhealthy lifestyles. There is no limit on the healing power of Jesus Christ. Negative emotions are damaging to the body. Modern life is often characterized by a mounting sea of daily pressures and stressful events which are coming at us from every direction. However, the real culprit behind stress and stress related illnesses is not the situations and daily pressures that are bombarding us. The real culprit behind stress is the emotional reactions that we are experiencing on the inside of us. These emotions can generate sickness within our body. Negative emotions release chemical reactions in the body and the brain. These reactions affect organs on every level including the stomach, heart, large muscles, and the cells throughout the entire body. The most dangerous emotions include: un-forgiveness, depression, rage, anger, worry, fear, grief, guilt and frustration.
Jon
-I’m posting this here because my mail server wasn’t allowing me to send it directly to you in the “contact” section of the blog>
Hi Dave, I happened upon your blog the other day as I was searching for this ‘Healing Begins’ song. I read quite a few of your posts and just wanted to say that I appreciate your honesty, humility, and love that comes through in your writings, I know it’s only His Spirit shinning through you and I’m glad for it. Your posts inspired, touched, and spoke to my heart.
I’m 26 years old and have been a missionary for the past 7 years, helping with various mission centers across the states. I’m now going through a time of change and soul searching that is causing me to examine my faith, conviction, and determination to find God’s highest will in my life. I want to serve Him with all my heart, but I’m not sure where He wants me and what He has in store for my future, but I’m trying to find that road.
I agree with your nonjudgmental and humble Christian perspectives that I’ve read on your blog thus far and am eager to learn more and more, the proper Christian attitudes and lessons that will help me be a light for Jesus in this world and warnings that will alert me of pitfalls or misleading perspectives that would cause me to hurt or offend any potential believers. I believe the secret is as simple as obeying the one Greatest Commandment, to “Love”. But, as I’m sure you’re aware, certain applications of the Word or in our dealing with others, there can be many false standards or implications. That’s what I want to be aware of and have God’s guidance in. I sure have a lot to learn.
Thanks for your posts. Following Jesus in this real world is my main goal and desire, and I’m glad I came across your blog.
P.S. I did have one question for ya. I’m considering reading your book “When Bad Christians happen to good people”. I was just wondering. You mentioned in one of your posts, some regrets in mentioning/discussing certain political stances or comments you made regarding politics. Personally, I steer clear of dealing with politics, so I don’t really know anything about that, but it got me thinking. Considering you wrote this book some time ago, are there any viewpoints or opinions expressed in your book that you’d have to say you’ve “learned” to see differently? It’s a bit of a tricky question. Basically, in reading your posts I’ve gotten the impression that you are constantly learning and that mindsets, ideas, or opinions you’ve had in the past, you’ve been able to adopt more Christ-like mindsets toward. So, this leads me to ask if there are other/anything in your book that you’ve “grown” to change your perspective on, or if you could change something, maybe you would. Make sense?
Gayle Roth
“So you thought you had to keep this up…
…In my sadness and tiredness God smiled because I was finally ready for grace. At the point of brokenness I was ready for the healing to begin.”
Dear Dave,
I frequent your blog, yes, I am one of the tens who visit. I hope you don’t mind but I often use (steal – with credit given to you) your blog when teaching a Bible study at our county youth center – that would be a “kiddie jail” if you will.
The first couple of lines in this song hit hard when I read them. Last November I lost my lovely son, he was 21. It was a very mysterious ‘accident’. Since then I had been keeping with my obligations to the church and the youth center when finally, emotionally, I just felt myself failing. Depression was starting to consume me. I really felt like the kids there deserved more.
On the very day I decided to ask for someone to relieve me, I came across this entry on your blog and I was instantly reassured that, yes, I needed to step back and allow myself to heal the lost of my only child.
I do love the image of God smiling because I’m ready to rely on Him.
Thank you for showing us how simple it is to receive God and all His glorious gifts and comforts.
Peace!
annie
“For decades I lived with a God who I suspected had a contractual obligation to love me because of Jesus but who was generally disgusted with me. I fought grace because it seemed too easy. Not spiritual. Not enough sacrifice. Not enough obedience.”
Dear Dave, you always describe this “works” stuff so well. This is how I’ve felt, and still struggle not to feel. You, my dear brother, are one of the few who is able to truly communicate that GOD DOES IT ALL. JESUS PAID IT ALL. THERE’S NOTHING I NEED TO DO, OR CAN DO, TO IMPROVE ON THAT. Except trust. Why is that so hard sometimes? Probably cuz I was raised to believe I had to earn everything, including acceptance and love. If I can’t earn it on earth, how could I possibly hope to earn it from God? I pray someday I can get to this point of complete surrender and trust.
God Bless you. Wow.