The job that was supposed to be yours, wasn’t. The man who was supposed to stay, left. The house that was supposed to sell, won’t. What do we do when the stories that were supposed to be aren’t? Sometimes the life that was supposed to be full feels empty. The answers that were supposed to be easy come difficult.
There may be legitimate cause to bend, to break down, to remain hard, hurt, a victim. There may be a thousand reasons to stay in your grief, unwilling or unable to let go. We can stop there, if we want to. We can live in our world-mold and be right and lonely.
And yet. Whole only comes after broken. Healing only comes after wounds. Are we willing to go a bit further and see?
“By his wounds we are healed. But they are our wounds, too; and until we have been healed we do not know what wholeness is. The discipline of creation, be it to paint, compose, write, is an effort toward wholeness … How many artists, in the eyes of the world, have been less than whole? The great artists have gained their wholeness through their wounds, their epilepsies, tuberculoses, periods of madness.”
Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water
The Great Artist — the Maker of stars and straw and soil — was not supposed to be a carpenter. He was supposed to be a king. To reign strong, not bleed sweat. To be served, not be a servant. To live long, not die a criminal. If we stopped there, the story would be unjust and unfair. But stopping there it is unfinished. And that is precisely the point.
Perhaps living is all about learning to see beyond what is to what could be. Could it be there is more to the story that we don’t know yet? It doesn’t mean that God is trying to teach us a lesson in our difficulty. Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece.
God made the world and then He came to change it. He isn’t a principal, He’s an artist. He doesn’t condemn, He creates. But sometimes we stop too soon. And when we do, things seem unjust. Perhaps they are simply unfinished. When the world tries to change you with his painful, cutting ways, instead embrace the story, receive grace, turn around, and change the world.
For the month of October, I’m writing a series called 31 Days to Change the World on my blog, Chatting at the Sky. We would love to have you join us!
ABOUT EMILY FREEMAN
Emily Freeman is a writer who encourages girls of all ages to create space for their souls to breathe. She is the author of Grace for the Good Girl (Revell). She and her husband live in North...
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This really spoke to me today. I needed the reminder not to let the disappointments of life determine how I go through each day. Thank you for sharing!
“… living is all about learning to see beyond what is to what could be.”
Yes…that.
Love your series; it made me happy when I saw that’s what your 31 Days was gonna be and every post I’ve read is sweeter than honey. xo
Unfinished…
Yes. That.
Soooo good Emily. Straight to the heart-so relevant for so (most, all) of us, thank you!
Christy
….he is creating a masterpiece
This is so beautiful, and was so fitting this morning in my life
Thank you for your beautiful writing to inspire so many of us to press on one more day!
“seeing beyond what is to what could be … It doesn’t mean that God is trying to teach us a lesson in our difficulty. Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece.”
This!
… thank you.
“Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece…”
“Perhaps they are simply unfinished.”
Perhaps you have opened my eyes to a new way of looking at those trials and difficulties. A much better way. Wow.
Thank you.
To see beyond what is to what could be….
What an awesome message of encouragement today. My husband and I went through a series of healing classes at our church. We know the valley all to well but we didn’t stop there. We allowed His sweet healing to invade our hearts. And we see tomorrow with vision and hope. Who knows what’s next.. But we are ready..
Yup yup yup. Ahhhhh…..
TRANSFORMED BY TROUBLE
“We know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”. Romans 8:28 NIV
God has a purpose behind every problem. You should expect four kinds of problems in life.
* Trials are deigned by God to draw us closer to Him and build our character.
By Rick Warren
* Temptations are designed by the Devil to draw us away from God and destroy our character. * Trespasses are hurts caused by sins of others. * Troubles are usualy, but not always, the consequences of our own sinful choices.
He continues to change, mold, create me through our story, which has become His story. His goodness, faithfulness, and love for me continue to amaze. Without Him I don’t know where or what I would be after the last few months…
This article really blessed me today. Thank you :)
I needed to read this today. Thank you.
It’s hard to see beyond today when it seems everything is falling apart. We short-saled our home 3 years ago and are in a rental that we do not like. My husband was laid off of work 2 years ago and is at a job that takes him away for 14 hour days, or week long trips. He is hurting emotionally and physically because of the job, but it’s what we need right now. Or rather, it brings in some money which we need.
It is so hard to see that things might change for the better one day. But I know they will, and I so needed this reminder to look beyond!
Praying for your family Sabrina.
My family has been through this and come out the other side. Stronger and more faithful because of it.
Hugs,
Kris
…beyond what is to what could be. I needed to hear that today….thank you so much for sharing.
wow. My situation now makes sense. Thank you…
thank you for this beautiful reminder!
I don’t know if your dream is to call out the artist in others….
But you are doing it.
And I am feeling beckoned for more, beyond my human frailties and past excuses.
Thank you, sweet Emily, who shares her heart like a song being birthed from the depths of her soul.
I am SO being changed by this symphony of a series!
I’m so grateful for this post! I am in the midst of a struggle, and it’s hard to see what lies ahead. Thank you for reminding me that God has a purpose for me, even if I can’t see it.
“Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece.” What a statement of hope!
I’m wrestling right now with the question of whether leaving a relationship would be “stopping too soon”. I don’t want to leave this relationship unfinished – before it is time. But I can’t keep asking myself these questions for much longer.
“Perhaps He is simply creating a masterpiece.”
I have a tendency to fall into the “lesson” mindset. It’s so freeing to realize that all of my times are in God’s hands – that He is in control and will finish what He has started in me. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask “why,” but sometimes I think that we need to leave the “whys” and focus on the “whats” — “what do you want me to do with this, God?”
We are all unfinished masterpieces. What rest this brings should we choose to believe it :)
Thanks, Emily!
We can be right and lonely. O how I love how you wrapped words around that sadness. Thank you for the wisdom and inspiration in this post – many blessings over you and what you create for His glory. Hugs!
This was beautiful… It really touched my heart.
I know I sound like a broken record when I comment on your posts, but you are such an amazing writer! I always find a piece of brilliance and insight in reading your words…I have to say I am so happy and excited that you are reading Madeleine L’engle’s “Walking On Water” – it’s one of my most favorite books in the world, and I think it should be required reading for every single Christian artist. :)
Blessings to you and thank you for writing from your heart!
Thanks Emily. When things seem hard, it is good remember that He is working on perfecting us. I love your writing! You are very gifted.
I love this perspective…things could be unfinished. So much to think about. I appreciate your words today, Emily; as always.
Things have been really hard lately and this post truly helped me to refocus. I do not have to always see the big picture, because God sees it. Thank you so much.
beautiful. thank you.
Beautiful!
“whole only comes after broken”
thank you for these words
walking through my broken….almost whole
God is steadfast and unchanging…for that I am ever thankful
love and light
“Perhaps living is all about learning to see beyond what is to what could be. Could it be there is more to the story that we don’t know yet? It doesn’t mean that God is trying to teach us a lesson in our difficulty. Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece.”
That so speaks to me!
Happy to be a masterpiece in the making and not just a big mess!
Loved this post…..very encouraging in this world where it rains on the just and unjust a like. We can either play in the rain or stay shut away from it and grow dry and bitter. Posting this on my fb….know it will encourage.
Great post. It is so easy to stay stuck in the parts of life that bring hurt, pain, grief etc. What a great reminder that God does not leave us here and that just because we might hurt doesn’t mean that God is finished with our story. Thank you!
Thank you! What a wonderful reminder that we can have the “freedom” to just rest and watch him work his masterpiece. Obviously we will have to make choices and decisions in the process, but He is the one with the ultimate control and that really takes the pressure off! Thanks that makes me so happy!
i love this post. i love this reminder that God uses our broken pieces to make us whole. i love this reminder that He is ever watching, He is ever molding, He is ever creating. thank you for using your gifts to give glory to Him.
Lovely, lovely thoughts. Waiting on God to reveal the masterpiece He is working on in my life. Thank you for the encouragement.
Oh my goodness, Emily. I cannot tell you how much I needed to read that, on that EXACT day. I didn’t get to comment, but remembered it so much I wanted to come back and thank you for the encouragement you wrote here. It was a gift.
It’s moments like these that I wish I knew you for real. You have a gift of being able to write powerful words that reach thousands of women. Bless you.
Oh.
My.
Em?
This…
“Whole only comes after broken. Healing only comes after wounds. ”
You’ve been writing my heart.
Love you more than words can say…
All’s grace,
Ann
I read this several days ago but had to come back for another read. Yes to all of this. But let me tell you, it’s a hard thing to swallow. Why does staying “right and lonely” feel so right? The letting go and living grace is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m 100% in the trenches of it. Your words here? They inspire me to walk the narrow, beautiful road…to walk in His justice {not mine} and embrace the perhaps unfinished instead of holding on to unjust.
Emily, I just started reading your book (recommended on Ann Voskamp’s blog a few weeks back) and I am already relating to it more than I want to admit. I found out through the book that you have a blog. I got online to check it out and the title of this blog post caught my eye–”know your brokenness.” I am seeking right now through fasting and prayer to be broken about something in particular.
This post was very helpful for my perspective. To be pointed back to Jesus and “beyond what is to what could be” was exactly what I needed to meditate on this afternoon.
Thank you.
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