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2002 Sowing Seeds Writing Contest Winner: Sermon "The Shattered Glass" by Cynthia Kretschmar from Minneapolis, Minnesota It seemed the glass shattered into a thousand pieces. It was still dark that early morning, and as was my habit, I was getting a glass of water while I got ready for the day. This particular day, the glass slipped out of my hand suddenly as I reached for the faucet to fill it. It fell into the white porcelain sink with a loud “crash” and the shattering of glass hitting the sink was startling. Momentarily mesmerized, I stared into the sink, making sure my hands were not cut and no glass had dropped to the floor. The glass had stayed within the confines of the sink. But what I saw in the shattering of glass was not merely a broken glass in a sink. I saw a picture— a message from God about my life and the lives of many of His people. Life is a series of pieces— parts to a whole. Some pieces may be unmet expectations, unfulfilled dreams, a broken heart, regrets, disappointments… Shattered pieces of life mixed in with the joyous moments of living. We may wonder if God really cares. If He did then why does life seem so shattered? As I looked at the shattered glass I noticed all the pieces were different. Some big pieces, ragged and sharp. Others small and smooth looking. Even pieces so tiny they were hard to see. Yet I knew all the pieces fit together to make one perfectly shaped crystal clear glass. God knows every little piece of our lives, big and small. Ragged and sharp. Even the tiny hard to see pieces— He sees. Every piece known by the Master can be perfectly shaped for our good and for our destiny. Only He can take what seems shattered into a thousand pieces and create a picture that makes sense. It is said, “Disappointments are missed appointments with God,” so what we do with what seems shattered in our lives is of great importance. Allowing change as we give it all to God, letting Him mend it, mold it and shape it. This is what will cause the pieces of life to fit together, crystal clear, like glass. God doesn’t promise when we walk with Him that life will not have its challenges or difficulties. He does promise that He will faithfully be with us and that He is good! “This I recall and therefore I have hope and expectation: It is because of the Lord’s great mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His tender compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23 AMP) What comes into our minds when we think about God, will determine the quality of our future. Be encouraged and be hopeful. Jesus said “The Father is always with me. I’ve told you this so that trusting Me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33 The Message) A wealthy businessman suffered ruin financially after the great Chicago fire of October 1871 and shortly thereafter, all four of his daughters died in a collision with another ship while crossing the Atlantic. His name, Horatio Spafford, his wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved… alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford's own ship passed the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words to this most memorable hymn: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Like the shattered glass in a porcelain sink, the many pieces of our life that seem broken and don’t seem to fit, can be taken to a trusting, faithful and loving God. As we give to Him all that we are and all that we have, He will teach us to say: “It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
Honorable Mention Sermons "Christian Discipleship" by Bruce Barron of Lubbock Texas "Father of Many Nations" by Janie Belk For information on our 2003 Writing Contest, please click here. |