Emmanuel: Finding God in Beauty and Brokenness

 

Summary

In this Advent series, we explore the profound theme of "Finding God in Our World," focusing on the name Emmanuel, which means "God with us." This conversation with Glen Packiam delves into the intersection of beauty and affliction, two elements that pierce the human heart. Glen shares his journey from growing up in Malaysia in a home where faith became real for his parents, to his own experiences of faith and ministry in the United States. He reflects on how beauty, often shaped by suffering and imperfection, can lead us to a deeper understanding of God.

Glen discusses the sequence of being blessed, broken, and given, as seen in the Eucharist. He emphasizes that being blessed is about reclaiming our identity in Christ, while brokenness, which can stem from personal failures, human frailty, or the world's fallenness, becomes an opportunity for openness to God's grace. This brokenness, when placed in Jesus's hands, allows us to be given for the life of the world, much like how bread must be broken to be shared.

The conversation also touches on the importance of intentionality in our spiritual lives, especially during busy seasons like Advent. Glen and his wife have developed a retreat practice that involves reflecting on the past, discerning the current season, and taking inventory of five life spheres: prayer, rest, renewal, work, and relationships. This practice encourages a shift from productivity to fruitfulness, focusing on who we are becoming in partnership with the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- Beauty and Affliction: Beauty, especially in art, is often marked by imperfection and suffering. This Advent, we are reminded that true beauty is not just aesthetic or sentimental but is deeply intertwined with our experiences of affliction. This duality invites us to find God in both the beautiful and the broken parts of our lives. [07:03]

- Blessed, Broken, Given: The sequence of being blessed, broken, and given reflects the Gospel life. Being blessed is about reclaiming our identity in Christ, while brokenness opens us to God's grace. This brokenness allows us to be given for the life of the world, much like how bread must be broken to be shared. [08:33]

- Finding God in Brokenness: Advent is a time to acknowledge our brokenness and recognize that we have a Savior who enters into it to redeem it. Our brokenness, whether from personal failures, human frailty, or the world's fallenness, becomes a means through which we can connect with others and share God's love. [09:53]

- Intentionality in Spiritual Life: Intentionality involves reflecting on the past, discerning the current season, and taking inventory of our lives. This practice helps us move from productivity to fruitfulness, focusing on who we are becoming in partnership with the Holy Spirit. It encourages us to be proactive rather than reactive in our spiritual practices. [17:51]

- Subtracting for Renewal: In a busy season like Advent, it's important to subtract rather than add to our lives. By closing unnecessary "apps" in our lives, we create space for rest and renewal, allowing us to find God in the simplicity and quietness of the season. This intentional subtraction can lead to a deeper connection with God. [21:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Introduction to Advent Series
- [02:30] - Glen's Journey and Background
- [04:10] - The Life of the Mind and Spirit
- [06:00] - Study and Worship
- [06:45] - Beauty and Affliction
- [08:08] - True Beauty and Brokenness
- [09:02] - Blessed, Broken, Given
- [10:20] - Brokenness as Openness
- [11:15] - Personal Experiences of Brokenness
- [13:36] - Finding God in Brokenness
- [15:16] - Intentionality and Spiritual Practices
- [17:26] - Reflecting on the Past
- [18:39] - Discerning the Season
- [19:28] - Inventory of Life Spheres
- [21:12] - Subtracting for Renewal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Finding God in Our World

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 1:23 - "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).
2. Ephesians 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
3. Genesis 1:27-28 - "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does Glen Packiam describe the relationship between beauty and affliction in the context of finding God in our world? [07:03]

2. What sequence does Glen Packiam discuss in relation to the Eucharist, and how does he interpret its significance? [08:33]

3. According to the sermon, what are the three sources of brokenness that Glen identifies, and how do they relate to the Advent season? [09:53]

4. What practice do Glen and his wife use to bring intentionality into their spiritual lives, and what are the five life spheres they focus on? [17:51]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "Emmanuel" as "God with us" influence our understanding of God's presence in both beauty and brokenness? [01:44]

2. In what ways does the sequence of being blessed, broken, and given reflect the life and mission of Jesus, and how can this sequence be applied to our own lives? [08:33]

3. How might acknowledging our brokenness during Advent lead to a deeper connection with God and others, according to Glen's reflections? [09:53]

4. What does Glen mean by moving from productivity to fruitfulness in our spiritual lives, and how does this shift impact our relationship with the Holy Spirit? [20:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced beauty in the midst of affliction. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's presence in your life? [07:03]

2. Consider the sequence of being blessed, broken, and given. How can you apply this sequence to a current situation in your life where you feel broken? [08:33]

3. During this Advent season, what specific steps can you take to acknowledge and embrace your brokenness as a means to connect with others and share God's love? [09:53]

4. Glen and his wife focus on five life spheres: prayer, rest, renewal, work, and relationships. Choose one sphere to focus on this week. What intentional action can you take to improve in that area? [17:51]

5. In what ways can you subtract unnecessary activities or distractions from your life this Advent to create space for rest and renewal? [21:43]

6. How can you shift your focus from productivity to fruitfulness in your spiritual practices this Advent? What changes might this require in your daily routine? [20:58]

7. Identify one area of your life where you feel reactive rather than proactive. What is one intentional step you can take this week to change that? [20:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Beauty in Imperfection
In the midst of our lives, beauty often emerges from unexpected places, marked by imperfection and suffering. This Advent season, we are invited to see beauty not just as something aesthetically pleasing but as something deeply intertwined with our experiences of affliction. True beauty is found in the duality of our lives, where both the beautiful and the broken parts coexist. This perspective encourages us to find God in every aspect of our lives, recognizing that He is present in both our joys and our struggles. [07:03]

"For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation." (Psalm 149:4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a moment in your life where you found beauty in an unexpected place. How can you invite God into both the beautiful and broken parts of your life today?


Day 2: Blessed, Broken, and Given
The sequence of being blessed, broken, and given reflects the Gospel life. Being blessed is about reclaiming our identity in Christ, while brokenness opens us to God's grace. This brokenness allows us to be given for the life of the world, much like how bread must be broken to be shared. In this process, we find that our brokenness, when placed in Jesus's hands, becomes a means through which we can connect with others and share God's love. [08:33]

"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt broken. How can you offer this brokenness to God and allow Him to use it for the benefit of others today?


Day 3: Finding God in Brokenness
Advent is a time to acknowledge our brokenness and recognize that we have a Savior who enters into it to redeem it. Our brokenness, whether from personal failures, human frailty, or the world's fallenness, becomes a means through which we can connect with others and share God's love. This season invites us to be open to God's grace, allowing Him to transform our brokenness into something beautiful and redemptive. [09:53]

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area of brokenness in your life. How can you invite God into this space and allow Him to bring healing and redemption?


Day 4: Intentionality in Spiritual Life
Intentionality involves reflecting on the past, discerning the current season, and taking inventory of our lives. This practice helps us move from productivity to fruitfulness, focusing on who we are becoming in partnership with the Holy Spirit. By being proactive rather than reactive in our spiritual practices, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and grow in our faith. [17:51]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your current spiritual practices. What is one area where you can be more intentional in your relationship with God today?


Day 5: Subtracting for Renewal
In a busy season like Advent, it's important to subtract rather than add to our lives. By closing unnecessary "apps" in our lives, we create space for rest and renewal, allowing us to find God in the simplicity and quietness of the season. This intentional subtraction can lead to a deeper connection with God, as we focus on what truly matters and allow ourselves to be renewed by His presence. [21:43]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

Reflection: Consider one activity or commitment you can set aside this week to create space for rest and renewal. How can this intentional subtraction help you connect more deeply with God?

Quotes


"Beauty not just in an aesthetic sense but not just in a Sentimental sense I think actual Beauty and the beauty that artists know is a beauty that is um shaped by suffering uh it's a beauty that's marked by even imperfection it's the imperfection that makes Human Art so beautiful." [00:08:05]

"To be blessed is to have our stories reclaimed I mean that's that's the sort of the essence of this is is God a renaming us and saying no I'm claiming you for myself it's to be returned to sort of our original identity to be blessed there's this parallel between Genesis 1 where God's blessing Adam and Eve and Ephesians one where Paul says we've now been blessed with every spiritual blessing." [00:08:46]

"Advent is not just permission to acknowledge Brokenness but actually it there's a beauty in recognizing that we have a savior who came into our Brokenness in order to redeem it and so what happens the reason it's this second move in in in the Eucharistic sort of formulation is because once we've been blessed in Christ now there's not one part of your life that is out of the hands of Jesus." [00:09:48]

"Brokenness actually becomes openness and it it you know I I grew up in Malaysia there's all kinds of breads around the world but there's a bread in Malaysia called Roy it's like a non bread but a little flakier and you you break it so that you can dip it in this Curry and it be it soaks it up and I think when our lives are broken in the hands of Jesus that Brokenness gets placed in Jesus's hands now it's open to his grace." [00:10:25]

"Once it's broken now out of our Brokenness we can be given for the life of the world this was in fact the the story of Jesus this is the story of our lives and this is the story of the church so I'd love to pursue that question of Brokenness for you a little bit more personally kind of where have you found Jesus in that because I think most of us think oh yeah to find him in blessing for sure." [00:10:53]

"Intentionality involves reflecting on the past, discerning the current season, and taking inventory of our lives. This practice helps us move from productivity to fruitfulness, focusing on who we are becoming in partnership with the Holy Spirit. It encourages us to be proactive rather than reactive in our spiritual practices." [00:17:51]

"Discerning the season became such an important part of this because so many of us rush to add things to our lives what actually this is a season where you're supposed to be simplifying things and taking things out of your life and so the right things done in the wrong season can actually be unhelpful and they can actually be harmful." [00:18:59]

"Taking an inventory of five spheres of your life and the the five that we kind of name uh is prayer rest renewal work and relationships and it's very it's a very common approach I um you know I know many people have versions of this uh for us the spin on it of of distinguishing between rest and renewal." [00:19:28]

"Rest is closing the apps you know but but renewal is like plugging your phone in you actually need to do things that actually recharge and replenish and so what we began to do is we began to say are we doing anything in these five spheres on purpose or are we just reacting and responding to and in ministry as you know it's so easy to just fill your your your life your work your relationships." [00:19:56]

"Subtracting for Renewal: In a busy season like Advent, it's important to subtract rather than add to our lives. By closing unnecessary 'apps' in our lives, we create space for rest and renewal, allowing us to find God in the simplicity and quietness of the season. This intentional subtraction can lead to a deeper connection with God." [00:21:43]

"Fruitfulness is about who we're becoming and that's the key fruitfulness this is about partnering with the Holy Spirit to cultivate fruit the fruit that he wants in our lives Glenn this has been wonderful and it's flown by I think I'll see with our team if we can put up those five areas for folks to be able to reflect on and think about." [00:21:59]

"Today what do you want to subtract so that you can rest and find him in this season uh do that you can you're going to do life today one way or the other better to do it with God so that I hope we can talk some more thank you very much thank you so much John what a privilege." [00:22:04]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?