Jesus: The Healing Force for Our Fragmented Lives
Summary
### Summary
In today's session, we explored the profound truth that Jesus is the integrating force of the universe, including our fragmented humanity. This concept is especially powerful in a world where fragmentation and decreation are rampant. We began by centering ourselves in the love of God, releasing our burdens to make room for His presence. The focus was on understanding and healing our fragmentation, which often stems from wounds and traumatic experiences that leave parts of us stuck at various ages.
We delved into the scriptural foundation for this idea, particularly from Colossians and Hebrews, which affirm that Jesus holds all creation together. This truth extends to our personal lives, where Jesus can reintegrate our fragmented selves. The imagery of stained glass was used to illustrate how each person, though broken, still reflects the radiance of God.
We acknowledged that our fragmentation makes us vulnerable, but Jesus offers a way out through His healing power. This healing doesn't require expensive therapy or the latest neuroscience; it is accessible to everyone, anywhere, anytime. We discussed a simple method for inviting Jesus into our fragmented parts: walking into our pain, inviting Jesus there, and allowing Him to integrate us.
This method is not about understanding or managing our brokenness but about experiencing union with Jesus, who is the ultimate healer. We practiced this method together, inviting the Holy Spirit to surface the parts of us that need healing and allowing Jesus to meet us there. This process is available to anyone, regardless of their circumstances, and it brings profound hope and restoration.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus as the Integrating Force: Jesus is not just the creator but the one who holds all things together, including our fragmented selves. This truth offers immense hope in a world marked by fragmentation and decreation. Understanding that Jesus is the integrating force can transform how we approach our brokenness and healing. [05:13]
2. The Reality of Fragmentation: We live far from Eden, in a world that wounds and fragments us. Recognizing our fragmentation without shame allows us to seek healing. Our defensiveness, compulsions, and rage are symptoms of this fragmentation, and acknowledging them is the first step toward healing. [09:30]
3. Accessible Healing: Jesus offers healing that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their resources. While therapy and neuroscience are valuable, they are not the only means of healing. Jesus has been healing human souls for thousands of years, and His methods are available to anyone, anywhere. [12:53]
4. Union with Jesus: The soul is healed through union with Jesus. This simple yet profound truth means that our healing comes from inviting Jesus into our fragmented parts and allowing Him to integrate us. This process is not about understanding but about experiencing His presence and healing power. [24:04]
5. Practical Method for Healing: The method involves walking into our pain, inviting Jesus there, and allowing Him to integrate us. This practice is accessible and can be done anytime, anywhere. It involves being gentle with ourselves, allowing the Holy Spirit to surface what needs healing, and inviting Jesus into those places. [27:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:27] - Centering in God's Love
[02:45] - Introduction to Survival School
[03:44] - Understanding Fragmentation
[05:13] - Jesus as the Integrating Force
[07:26] - The Stained Glass Metaphor
[09:30] - Acknowledging Our Fragmentation
[11:24] - The Hope of Reintegration
[12:53] - Accessible Healing for All
[14:44] - Jesus' Mission to Heal
[16:29] - Recognizing Our Reactions
[18:29] - Getting Curious About Our Brokenness
[20:34] - Personal Testimony of Healing
[22:14] - The Simplicity of Healing Through Union
[24:04] - The Soul's Healing Through Union with Jesus
[25:56] - Practical Method for Healing
[27:44] - Walking Into Our Pain
[29:31] - Letting the Holy Spirit Surface Issues
[31:17] - Inviting Jesus Into Our Fragmented Parts
[33:40] - Allowing Ourselves to Feel
[36:01] - Jesus' Creative Healing
[37:47] - Integrating Our Fragmented Parts
[40:28] - Jesus' Permission to Heal
[42:51] - Reintegrating with Jesus
[45:11] - Apologizing to Our Younger Selves
[48:01] - Conclusion and Next Steps
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 1:15-17 (NIV): "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
2. Hebrews 1:2-3 (NIV): "But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:17, what role does Jesus play in the universe? How does this relate to the concept of Jesus as the integrating force of all things? [05:13]
2. In Hebrews 1:3, how is Jesus described in relation to God and creation? What does it mean that He sustains all things by His powerful word? [05:13]
3. The sermon mentions that our world is marked by fragmentation and decreation. What are some examples of this fragmentation in our personal lives as discussed in the sermon? [09:30]
4. How does the imagery of stained glass help us understand our own brokenness and the potential for healing through Jesus? [07:26]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be the integrating force of our fragmented selves? How does this understanding change our approach to personal healing? [05:13]
2. The sermon suggests that acknowledging our fragmentation without shame is the first step toward healing. Why is it important to remove shame from this process? [09:30]
3. How does the accessibility of Jesus' healing power, as described in the sermon, challenge the notion that healing requires expensive therapy or advanced neuroscience? [12:53]
4. The sermon emphasizes union with Jesus as the key to healing. How does this concept differ from merely understanding or managing our brokenness? [24:04]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt fragmented or broken. How might inviting Jesus into that specific part of your life bring healing and integration? [27:44]
2. The sermon encourages us to walk into our pain and invite Jesus there. What practical steps can you take this week to face a painful area in your life and seek Jesus' presence there? [27:44]
3. Consider the idea that Jesus' healing is accessible to everyone, anywhere, anytime. How can this truth change the way you approach your own healing journey and support others in theirs? [12:53]
4. The sermon mentions that our reactions often do not fit the circumstances due to our fragmented parts. Identify a recent overreaction you had. How can you invite Jesus into that specific part of your life for healing? [16:29]
5. The imagery of stained glass was used to describe our brokenness and potential for reflecting God's radiance. How can you embrace your own brokenness and allow Jesus to shine through you in your daily interactions? [07:26]
6. The sermon suggests that understanding is not the same as healing. How can you shift your focus from trying to understand your brokenness to experiencing union with Jesus for true healing? [28:40]
7. Jesus is described as the integrating force of all creation. How can you practically acknowledge and invite His integrating power into your daily life, especially in moments of stress or fragmentation? [05:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as the Integrating Force
In a world marked by fragmentation and decreation, it is profoundly hopeful to understand that Jesus is not just the creator but the one who holds all things together, including our fragmented selves. This truth can transform how we approach our brokenness and healing. When we recognize Jesus as the integrating force, we can begin to see our lives through the lens of His sustaining power. This perspective allows us to approach our brokenness not with despair but with the hope of reintegration and wholeness.
Jesus' role as the integrating force is affirmed in scriptures like Colossians and Hebrews, which declare that He holds all creation together. This truth extends to our personal lives, where Jesus can reintegrate our fragmented selves. By inviting Jesus into our broken parts, we allow His healing power to work within us, bringing unity and restoration. This understanding offers immense hope and a pathway to healing that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. [05:13]
Colossians 1:17 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: Think about an area of your life where you feel fragmented or broken. How can you invite Jesus into that specific area today to begin the process of reintegration and healing?
Day 2: The Reality of Fragmentation
We live far from Eden, in a world that wounds and fragments us. Recognizing our fragmentation without shame allows us to seek healing. Our defensiveness, compulsions, and rage are symptoms of this fragmentation, and acknowledging them is the first step toward healing. When we understand that our brokenness is a result of living in a fallen world, we can approach it with compassion rather than condemnation.
Acknowledging our fragmentation is crucial because it opens the door to healing. By recognizing the parts of ourselves that are wounded and stuck at various ages, we can invite Jesus into those places for healing. This process involves being honest about our pain and allowing the Holy Spirit to surface the areas that need attention. It is through this vulnerability that we can experience the profound healing that Jesus offers. [09:30]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Identify a specific defensive reaction or compulsion you have. What might this reaction be protecting or hiding? How can you bring this to Jesus for healing today?
Day 3: Accessible Healing
Jesus offers healing that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their resources. While therapy and neuroscience are valuable, they are not the only means of healing. Jesus has been healing human souls for thousands of years, and His methods are available to anyone, anywhere. This truth is incredibly liberating because it means that healing is not limited to those who can afford professional help; it is available to all who seek it.
The accessibility of Jesus' healing power means that we can turn to Him at any moment, in any place, and find the restoration we need. This healing is not about understanding or managing our brokenness but about experiencing union with Jesus, who is the ultimate healer. By inviting Jesus into our fragmented parts, we allow His presence to bring wholeness and integration. This process is simple yet profoundly transformative. [12:53]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus' healing presence in your life. How can you make space for His healing power in your daily routine today?
Day 4: Union with Jesus
The soul is healed through union with Jesus. This simple yet profound truth means that our healing comes from inviting Jesus into our fragmented parts and allowing Him to integrate us. This process is not about understanding but about experiencing His presence and healing power. When we focus on union with Jesus, we shift our attention from our brokenness to His wholeness, allowing His love to transform us.
Union with Jesus is the foundation of our healing journey. By inviting Him into our pain and brokenness, we experience His healing power in a deeply personal way. This union is not about striving or achieving but about resting in His presence and allowing Him to do the work of integration. As we practice this, we begin to see the profound impact of His love and healing in our lives. [24:04]
John 15:4 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
Reflection: What does abiding in Jesus look like for you today? How can you intentionally invite Him into your daily activities and moments of brokenness?
Day 5: Practical Method for Healing
The method involves walking into our pain, inviting Jesus there, and allowing Him to integrate us. This practice is accessible and can be done anytime, anywhere. It involves being gentle with ourselves, allowing the Holy Spirit to surface what needs healing, and inviting Jesus into those places. This method is not about understanding or managing our brokenness but about experiencing union with Jesus, who is the ultimate healer.
By practicing this method, we create space for Jesus to work in our lives. It requires us to be honest about our pain and to trust that Jesus can bring healing and integration. This process is simple yet profoundly transformative, offering a pathway to wholeness that is available to everyone. As we walk into our pain and invite Jesus there, we experience His healing power in a deeply personal way. [27:44]
Psalm 147:3 (ESV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Reflection: Take a moment to identify a specific area of pain in your life. How can you invite Jesus into that pain today and allow Him to begin the process of healing and integration?
Quotes
1. "The hopefulness of this idea is that Jesus is the integrating force of the universe. Jesus is the integrating force of all things, including you, including your humanity. Jesus is the integrating center, literally, of creation. He is at the upper center of it, but also of you, and of me, and of us. This is enormous. This is so helpful in an hour like this one, where the war is essentially fragmentation and decreation." [01:27] (-336 seconds)
2. "There are experiences in our lives that are wounding. There are experiences in our lives that are fragmenting. And I'll explain our way into this, but I want to begin with one of the most beautiful passages that have just, whoa, this year they have leapt out to me given everything we've been talking about: the lateness of the hour, the costliness, the war against your humanity, your soul, your union with God, and decreation, just the enemy's commitment to just pull apart everywhere he can to fragment the creation of God." [03:44] (46 seconds)
3. "Every person you meet is stained glass. Every person. Beautiful still in our creation, beautiful still, but pieces, hearts, fragments of a whole. Still glorious, still like the radiance of God still flowing through you. You meet the image of God in every man and woman you meet. Yes, absolutely, there's still radiance there and joy and love and playfulness, all kinds of great things, but it is essentially a collection of fragmented parts because we do not live in the habitat that our souls were made for." [07:26] (49 seconds)
4. "Our fragmentation is where we are vulnerable and Jesus is the integrating force of all things. That is the most beautiful thought. That's like, whoa, there's a way out. There's help. There is care. There is reintegration available through Jesus who has access to your entire story and he has access to your entire created being. That's just really good news, guys. It's really, really good news." [11:24] (33 seconds)
5. "God has been healing human souls for thousands of years without expensive therapists and the latest neuroscience. Now, you understand? Hang on, guys. Hang on. I'm trained as a therapist. I had a private practice. I loved it. I saw God do beautiful things. Okay. I believe in it. I have personally been to counseling. Stacey has. We've been through trauma intensives. I mean, on a regular basis, we put ourselves back into the hands and the care of God." [12:53] (31 seconds)
6. "Jesus is the integrating force of all creation. He literally holds it together right now or the whole thing would just fly into pieces. He is the integrating force of all things, including your humanity. This is so lovely. This is so hopeful for us and for everybody who can't get to, you know, expensive Western hemisphere therapists." [12:53] (33 seconds)
7. "The soul is healed through union with Jesus. It's that simple. The soul is healed, is reintegrated through union with Jesus in those places. Anytime, anywhere you need him, the soul is healed through union with Jesus. And I believe in therapy, and we've all used it, and I believe in intensives and healing prayer. I believe in it. But what do you do when you don't have the money for it? What do you do when you don't have access to it? What do you do when you wake up at 2 in the morning and your soul is crying out for attention?" [24:04] (54 seconds)
8. "You don't have to understand the mystery of God to enjoy him. You don't have to understand half of the kingdom to enjoy it. You don't have to understand this. Jesus is like, suddenly, oh, there's six-year-old me. Whoa. And like, Jesus, when you give him access, right? I love you here. Walk into me here. And the goal is to integrate this part of me." [25:56] (29 seconds)
9. "We are fragmented. There are lots of ages inside of you and Jesus is the integrating force of all things. So he already is resident in what he needs is access to this isolated part, access to the fragmented piece that got shamed or harmed or neglected or left out too many times or chronic pain will do this, all kinds of things. He needs access to that part." [27:44] (37 seconds)
10. "Understanding is not healing and clarity is not restoration. People will spend years in therapy and they can tell you all about their eating disorder and explain the whole thing about self-protection and abandonment and body control. But they'll explain their situation. It's not the same thing as being reintegrated. We're not after understanding. We're after wholeness. We're after having a wholeheartedness and the soul is healed through union with God." [28:40] (60 seconds)
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