the reason for the world

my heart is heavy and hurting for several dear people right now. a few i know very well and a few i haven't even met. i have a lot of homework sitting here with my name on it, but i think it can wait a few minutes as i lift these sorrows and the pain to the One who holds the world. a mix of tears from pain and thankfulness are coming to my eyes as i think about the way Jesus takes the broken, the hurting, the messed up and creates something beautiful, even if it never really looks beautiful down here on earth. our definition of beautiful needs a revamp. we tend to view the the things that are spotless, pleasing to the eye, and seem whole to be beautiful. Jesus sees our broken heart laying in a million pieces as beautiful. He has the eternal perspective and all knowledge, power, and compassion. He made the ultimate sacrifice of death on the cross so He could take our broken pieces and turn them into something truly beautiful. He stays with us throughout the whole process of life. we are never, ever alone.

a song from matthew west's new album, "the story of your life," has been playing on my itunes while i've been typing this. i kind of stole the title for my post from the song because it fit so well. i love how God arranges for songs to play or come to mind at just the right moment. i keep hitting the repeat button to hear the comforting words again:

There are no words in times like these
When tears don't hide the tragedies
And all you want is a reason for the world

No comfort in the greeting card
Cause God is good
But life's still hard
and your heart just wants a reason for the world

Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home

For God so loved your broken heart
He sent his son to where you are
and he died
To give a reason for the world

So lift your sorrows to the one
Whose plan for you has just begun
And rests here in the hands that hold the world

Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home

Well I know your past the point of broken
Surrounded by your fears
i know you're faint and tired and lonely
from the road that you walked down here
But just keep your eyes on heaven
and know that you are not alone
remember the reason for the world

No ear has heard
No eye has seen
Not even in your wildest dreams
A beauty that awaits beyond this world
When you look into the eyes of grace
and hear the voice of mercy say
Child, welcome to the reason for the world

i pray this touches you as it has me this afternoon. xo