Repairing The Breach

Imperfect as we may be, and with all our internal contradictions, God sees and loves us. We are set free from the captivity of concern about who we are. God doesn’t choose the perfect, because there are no perfect people available. God chooses us . During Lent we are re- gathered, refocussed, re-engaged. We are confronted by our failures and healed by the wild, untamed and profligate love that drew our hearts to the divine flame in the first place. We come home. (You have no doubt noticed many of Carol Aust’s beautiful paintings throughout this book. Carol depicts homecomings and nurture, freedom and release. Her work speaks to me without the need for explanation. Gods speaks to us in many ways that transcend the need for words.) What are the contradictions you see in the church? What are the contradictions you see in yourself? Do you know that God chose you despite the flaws you see? 1. Henri J. M. Nouwen in ‘Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life’ p. 124 2. Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith 3. Henri J. M. Nouwen in ‘Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life’ p. 124 4. Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith 5. Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.1 63