Broken Together

Why do relationships fail?  How can it be that people who come together in a deep love for each other or genuine friendship end up indifferent to each other, out of love, apart, enemies?

Are you in a relationship that you fear is coming to an end?

“What do you think about when you look at me
I know we're not the fairytale you dreamed wed be
You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand
And we dove into a mystery”

All of us have seen relationships between people close to us burn out in anger or wind down in sorrow.

“How it must have been so lonely by my side
We were building kingdoms and chasing dreams and left love behind
I'm praying God will help our broken hearts align
And we wont give up the fight”

This song, “Broken Together” has been haunting me since I first heard it.  It is another selection from Casting Crowns new album “Thrive”.  Besides its simplicity and sublime chord progression, the constant single piano note that chimes almost through the entire song points to the persistence of the question I asked at the opening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAAvPDgKf30

“Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together?”

There are forces constantly trying to pull us apart.  The demands of work, false images of “love” or “completeness” brought to us by the world, temptation, our own brokenness and search for the assurance that we have value…all of these things and more…contribute to the impression that we’d be better off with someone else.

“How I wish we could go back to simpler times
Before all our scars and all our secrets were in the light
Now on this hallowed ground, we've drawn the battle lines
Will we make it through the night”

At the end of the day, the Enemy does not want us in relationship with each other or with God.  Relationships bring encouragement, love, support and true joy.  As God is in each of us, when we are in relationship with one another, we are in relationship with Him.  This upends the Devil’s plan for hurt to be constantly in our lives.

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, we can see the fundamental importance of relationship.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

When we come together at the Table, celebrating the Eucharist, we see Christ offering up an example:

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ ”

What is broken, is offered up, blessed and shared.  We have this inability to really, truly open up to others and expose our brokenness, especially to those closest to us.  But Christ shows us that when something is broken, and shared, we are fed; we embrace the brokenness and offer it up.

“Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I'll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way well last forever is broken together”

So, do you fear that you are part of a relationship…a friendship…a marriage…that is close to falling apart?  Is it coming to an end because of the completeness you seek in another that can only be found in God?  Are you standing, facing your loved one and trying to repair your brokenness, all the while hiding it?  Turn from each other and face your loving Father, presenting your brokenness.  Be broken together.