Restoration!

January 25, 2024

Restoration!

Sometimes things will not be set right in this life. 

The young girl is raped by a family member.  Things will never be the same as they were.

The young boy is betrayed by a best friend.  Things will never go back to the way they were.

The wife has an affair with the husband’s best friend.  Things will never return to what was.

The drunk driver takes the life of your child.  Things will never be fully replaced.

The addiction slowly takes all that you value in life.  Things will rarely be reinstated the way they were.

 Sometimes things will not be set right in this life. 

We long for complete reconciliation even when our heart is still unwilling or unable to forgive.  We pray for full restoration even when the ingredients for that restoration are no longer present.  We yearn for total repair of a deep hurt when the other person is not interested in or not able to participate in that process.

And yet, there is something deep inside of us that wants things to go back to the way they were.  We long for relationships restored or life restored or health restored.  We long for hope restored or faith restored or joy restored.  We long for peace restored or love restored or resources restored.

Sometimes things will not be set right in this life.

The good news is some things can be set right in this life.  Some things can be restored and reconciled and reinstated.  The church in first century Corinth is a great example. 

There was a great deal of conflict in the church in Corinth.  People were arguing about so many different things and most were taking sides in the various arguments. 

Towards the end of his second letter to the church, the Apostle Paul says something important about all the hurt feelings and deep disappointments in the church.  In II Corinthians 13:9 Paul writes; “For we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong.  This is what we pray for, that you may be restored.”

Paul prays that the Christ-followers in the church at Corinth will be restored.  Arguments resolved.  Divisions healed.  Relationships rebuilt.  Hurts forgiven.  Focus aligned.  Energy renewed.  Faith repaired.  Harmony mended.

Restoration is possible.  However, it is important to understand that restoration is not always possible as a result of just our effort or just our desire or just our strength.  Although Paul does say, “…you are strong…” in verse 9, he is going back to a statement he made earlier in his letter.  The context is important in his discussion of restoration. 

In II Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul emphasizes the source of our strength/power when we are feeling weak.  Paul writes; “So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

It is the power of Christ working in me and working in the places in my life that need to be restored that make restoration possible.  Although it is true that some things will not be set right in this life there are many more that can be set right.  Through the power of Christ, restoration is often possible.

I can’t imagine or even understand the broken places in your life.  Maybe there is something in you that is convinced restoration is not likely in this life.  In invite you to be open to what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through you to bring restoration.  In other words, consider the possibility that restoration is possible. 

Restoration is possible not through your power but through the power of Christ.  Healing can come.  Reconciliation can come.  Restoration can come.  Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with power to the bring restoration.  Ask Jesus to take you by the hand and lead you to restoration.

We know there are times when restoration may not be possible on this side of heaven.  Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with power to live with the realty that some things will not be set right in this life.  Ask Jesus to take you by the hand and lead you through those difficult moments when restoration seems too distant.

I encourage you to remember that restoration is possible through the power of Christ.  Lean into Jesus and depend upon His wisdom, His direction, and His love.  While you are still longing and working for restoration in the power of Christ, practice the discipline of taking delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug