Embracing Hope: Transformation Through Brokenness and Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Resurrection as the Unshakable Foundation of Hope

The empty tomb is not merely a historical fact but the cornerstone of Christian hope and assurance. It confirms that Jesus has triumphed over death, hell, and the grave, giving believers a reason to praise God regardless of their circumstances. This victory transforms how one views daily struggles and relationships, offering confidence that life can be renewed and that God’s promises are reliable. When this truth is embraced deeply, it reshapes the way challenges are faced and how hope is sustained in every season. [08:36]

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4 ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to anchor your hope more firmly in the reality of the resurrection today?

Day 2: Choosing Presence with Christ Over Life’s Busyness

Life often pulls us toward endless tasks and responsibilities, but true transformation comes from choosing to be present with Jesus rather than merely performing duties. The story of Mary and Martha illustrates two approaches: one focused on busyness, the other on intimacy. While responsibilities have their place, Jesus invites us to prioritize stillness and closeness with Him. This posture of presence replenishes the soul and equips believers to face life’s demands with renewed strength and clarity. [22:23]

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving.” (Luke 10:38-40a ESV)

Reflection: What is one daily distraction or task you can set aside to intentionally create space to sit at Jesus’ feet today?

Day 3: Embracing Brokenness as Part of Our Shared Journey

Brokenness is a universal reality in every person and relationship, often stemming from past hurts, unmet expectations, or human imperfection. The world’s ideal of perfect relationships is a myth, but God does not condemn us for our brokenness. Instead, He invites us to bring our wounds and failures to Him, trusting that He can do what we cannot. This invitation encourages honesty and vulnerability, allowing God’s grace to begin healing and restoring what feels shattered. [52:20]

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” (Romans 7:18 ESV)

Reflection: What brokenness in your relationships or personal life have you been reluctant to bring before God, and how might you begin to surrender it to Him today?

Day 4: God’s Restoration Transforms Brokenness into Beauty

Like the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, God’s restoration does not merely fix what is broken but makes it more beautiful and valuable than before. Our scars and stories become testimonies of His grace and power. Though the past may not be erased, it is transformed into something that reflects God’s glory. This process invites believers to see their brokenness not as a limitation but as a canvas for divine artistry and redemption. [01:03:46]

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.” (Psalm 147:3-4 ESV)

Reflection: How can you begin to view your scars and past wounds as part of God’s masterpiece rather than as marks of failure?

Day 5: Daily Choosing a New Beginning in God’s Grace

No matter how many times failure has come or how deep wounds run, God offers a fresh start every day. Declaring that brokenness will not define you is a continual choice to trust in God’s healing and restoration. In His hands, you are fully known, fully loved, and given a purpose beyond what you can imagine. This daily renewal invites believers to live with hope and courage, embracing God’s transformative power moment by moment. [01:12:54]

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to declare that your past brokenness will no longer define your identity or future?

Sermon Summary

Everything in our faith hinges on the reality that the tomb is empty—Jesus has conquered death, hell, and the grave, and because of that, we have hope and a reason to praise. This truth is not just for Easter; it’s the foundation for every day, every struggle, and every relationship. We are invited to come before God with open hands and open hearts, setting aside our distractions, our worries, and our to-do lists, and simply focus on Him—trusting that He loves us in our brokenness and calls us worthy.

Looking at the story of Mary and Martha, we see two different approaches to life: one busy with tasks, the other sitting at Jesus’ feet. While both have value, Jesus gently reminds us that the most important thing is to be present with Him, to choose intimacy over busyness. This is a call to all of us, whether we feel like we’re barely holding things together or are distracted by the demands of life. God wants us to experience His presence, to be recharged and refocused, so we can face whatever comes our way.

When it comes to relationships, the world sells us a fairy tale of perfect matches and happily-ever-afters, but reality is much messier. We all carry brokenness—whether from failed relationships, unmet expectations, or the simple fact that imperfect people can’t create perfection together. The pain and disappointment are real, but God’s design for us is not to hide our brokenness or pretend everything is fine. Instead, He invites us to bring our shattered pieces to Him.

Drawing from the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, we see a powerful image of what God wants to do in our lives. He doesn’t just patch us up; He makes us more beautiful and valuable than before. Our brokenness, when surrendered to Him, becomes a testimony of His grace and restoration. Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, God specializes in taking what’s broken and making it whole. The invitation is to declare that brokenness will not define us anymore, to trust God for a fresh start, and to become the masterpiece He created us to be.

Key Takeaways

1. The Resurrection Changes Everything The empty tomb is not just a historical event; it is the foundation for our hope, forgiveness, and the assurance that God’s promises are trustworthy. This reality should shape our daily outlook, giving us confidence that our lives can be transformed and that we have a reason to praise, no matter our circumstances. When we truly grasp this, it changes how we approach every challenge and every relationship. [08:36]
2. Presence Over Performance The story of Mary and Martha reminds us that while responsibilities matter, the most important thing is to be present with Jesus. Our culture often values productivity and busyness, but Jesus calls us to intimacy and stillness at His feet. True transformation happens not when we accomplish more, but when we prioritize being with Him above all else. [22:23]
3. Brokenness Is Universal, But Not Final Every person, every relationship, carries some measure of brokenness—whether from past hurts, unmet expectations, or personal failures. The world’s math says imperfect plus imperfect should equal perfect, but reality proves otherwise. God does not shame us for our brokenness; instead, He invites us to bring it to Him, trusting that He can do what we cannot. [52:20]
4. God’s Restoration Is More Beautiful Than the Original Like the art of kintsugi, God takes our shattered pieces and, through His grace, makes something more beautiful and valuable than before. Our scars and stories of restoration become testimonies of His love and power. The process may not erase the past, but it transforms it into something that reflects His glory and goodness. [63:46]
5. A Fresh Start Is Always Available No matter how many times we’ve failed, how deep our wounds, or how long we’ve operated in brokenness, God offers us a new beginning. Declaring that brokenness will not define us is not a one-time event, but a daily choice to trust God’s power to heal and restore. In His hands, we are fully known, fully loved, and given purpose and potential beyond what we could imagine. [72:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:36] - The Power of the Empty Tomb
[09:22] - Posture of Surrender
[10:16] - Focusing on God’s Worthiness
[21:07] - Mary and Martha: Two Approaches
[22:23] - Choosing Presence Over Busyness
[29:42] - Community and Belonging
[38:36] - Living Open-Handed: Generosity and Trust
[46:15] - The Myth of Perfect Relationships
[49:27] - Brokenness in Real Life
[52:20] - Facing the Reality of Imperfection
[54:07] - God’s Design for Relationships
[56:34] - The Meaning of Being Joined Together
[59:15] - Intimacy and Brokenness
[62:50] - Kintsugi: Beauty in Brokenness
[66:32] - God Specializes in Restoration
[72:54] - Declaring a New Beginning
[75:15] - Invitation to Transformation and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the story of Mary and Martha, what were the two different ways the sisters responded to Jesus’ visit? What did Jesus say was “the most important thing”?
According to Genesis 1:31 and 2:18, what did God say about His creation, and what did He notice was “not good” after making Adam?
When Jesus talks about marriage in Matthew 19:4-6, what does He say about how two people are joined together?
The sermon used the image of broken pottery repaired with gold (kintsugi). What does this image represent about our lives and relationships?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus valued Mary’s choice to sit at His feet over Martha’s busyness? What does this say about what Jesus wants from us?
The sermon says, “imperfect plus imperfect does not equal perfect.” How does this challenge the way we think about relationships and expectations?
The kintsugi illustration shows broken pottery made more beautiful with gold. How does this change the way we see our own brokenness and scars?
The pastor said, “Declaring that brokenness will not define us is not a one-time event, but a daily choice.” What does it look like to make that choice every day?

Application Questions

The empty tomb means Jesus conquered death and gives us hope. How does this truth affect the way you face struggles or disappointments right now? Is there a specific area where you need to remember the power of the resurrection?
Are you more like Mary (focused on being with Jesus) or Martha (busy with tasks) in your daily life? What is one practical way you can choose “presence over performance” this week?
The world tells us to hide our brokenness or pretend everything is fine. Is there a part of your life or a relationship where you’ve been hiding your brokenness? What would it look like to bring those pieces to God?
Think about the kintsugi image—God making something more beautiful out of what’s broken. Can you share a time when God used a broken part of your life to help someone else or show His grace?
The pastor said, “A fresh start is always available.” Is there an area where you need a fresh start? What step could you take this week to trust God for new beginnings?
In relationships (marriage, friendship, family, or singleness), what is one way you can stop letting brokenness define you and instead let God’s restoration shape your story?
The sermon ended with a declaration: “I am fully known and fully loved. This is my new beginning.” What would change in your life if you truly believed this? Is there a specific action you can take to live out this truth?

Sermon Clips

And some of us are thinking about lunch. Some of us are thinking about the stuff we got to get done before we got to get our kids to school and get to work tomorrow. Some of us are still thinking about things you didn't get done yesterday. You're stressed out about this or that. Your brain is somewhere completely else right now. And I'm just telling you, I don't want you to miss out on what God has for your life right here, right now. There's more. There's so much more. [00:23:31] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

And man, it's just a simple thought, and I say this all the time when it comes to talking about money in church. I don't want anything from you. I just want everything for you. And I realize and I've seen that when we put God first and when we live, like a minute ago, we did that palms up kind of thing right there. It's a posture of worship. There's all kinds of different things you can do in worship, right? I get a little creative sometimes, but there's just this posture where our hands open. And have you ever noticed...that if you have a closed fist, you can't take anything, right? So if I wanted to put a $100 bill in your closed fist hand, you couldn't take that $100 bill. If I wanted to give you a gift card to Amazon, right, I could try to, like, you know, put it in the fingers, and if you've just got a closed fist, like, nothing's landing right there. And here's the biggest thing that we see in following Jesus and really just trying to align our heart with the Word of God is that we're called to give. We're called to put God first in our finances, not just our finances, but every area across the board. [00:40:51] (61 seconds) Edit Clip

And today, I don't try to get close to this idea of the prosperity gospel and that if you give, God's just going to make it rain on you. That's not what I believe. I just believe that when we live our lives open -handed, I truly believe that God sees our obedience and our faithfulness, and I've seen God provide in miraculous, crazy, I could have never dreamed it ways. And so today, I just challenge you with that simple thought that instead of living like this, like the rest of the world does, because it's like I'm trying to just take it all in and have it all and hold on to it all, and then ironically enough, it just bleeds out of your fingers, right? It's like trying to hold on to sand, you know? There's something about living our life open -handed and seeing God provide and investing into the kingdom of God to see this area reach for Jesus through this church. [00:42:17] (52 seconds) Edit Clip

And I can't just, like, skate past reality and what it really feels like to put yourself out there in a relationship and to see that things don't equal out to the way that you want them to. If we're going to do some math today, which I know I just said the word math and somebody just, like, zoned out. But if we were going to do some math today, here's the reality. We think I'm going to meet him, her, we put them together, and boom, it's perfect, right? But here's the reality. You actually have imperfect plus imperfect, and we still get to that some point where we're expecting things to be perfect. [00:52:48] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

And as I was learning about it and kind of digging into it and looking up some of the pictures just like this, it was just such a beautiful image. And I felt like God was saying, Seth, there's so many people walking around with their broken pieces. And they have no idea that I want to pick those pieces up and I want to put them back together. And what's amazing in this idea of kintsugi, they take broken pottery, put it back together with gold. No big deal, right? Kind of a flex. And it's almost better than it was before. Isn't that amazing? [01:03:11] (44 seconds) Edit Clip

But today, maybe you're suffering through a marriage. Maybe you sit in bed at night and you're just, you may as well be in two different rooms or two different worlds. Maybe you're struggling. Maybe there's been a lot of issues or just things that are just wearing down on your relationship today. I just want you to realize that when you both come to Jesus, there's this opportunity, not just to put broken plates back together, but God takes the broken pieces of your heart and he begins to put them back together better than they were before. God is the great physician. Come on, somebody's heard that before. And I'm telling you, he can perform open heart surgery better than you would have ever imagined. He can take anything that's broken and put it back together piece by piece by piece because here's the reality today and here's where we land. It's that God specializes in brokenness. [01:05:38] (54 seconds) Edit Clip

He's got the PhD in brokenness. He's got the acclaimed, did it on www .brokenness .com degree. He's been to school. He's watched the YouTube videos, y 'all. And God can say with a matter of fact today that no matter how broken you feel, the pieces can be picked up and in the hands of the creator God, it will be better than it was before. We just have to trust him and lean in. [01:06:32] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

Now, I'm not going to force you into saying this and making this declaration over your life, but I wonder what will happen if you declare this over your life today. So here it is. Starting now with God's help, you don't have to repeat after me just yet. Hold on, I'm just reading it. Just let, I don't want you to just repeat something you haven't heard first. You know what I'm saying? Starting now with God's help and the power of the Holy Spirit, I declare, brokenness won't define me anymore. Someone needs that statement today. You are valuable and you are loved by God. I will strive daily to become the masterpiece God created me to be. I have purpose. I have potential. I am fully known and fully loved. And this is my new beginning. [01:12:25] (47 seconds) Edit Clip

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