“…Every lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God has blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.”
- From “God Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts
This popular song from a few years back was primarily about the love between a man and a woman. They had undergone much disappointment and heartbreak to be able to finally fall into each others’ arms. It is a beautifully written romantic song. Yet, it is also a song that resonates strongly with us who have walked on this rocky road of following Christ. On this road we have struggled with frustrations, pains, losses, failings, and disappointments.
Much of this broken road has to do with our jealous God’s faithful weaning of us from our “love of the world.” The Apostle John describes those unholy affections as “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” that do not originate from our heavenly Father’s heart. (I John 2:15-16)
Back to the song. All the pain that the lover endured would have been “pointless pain” if there had been no loving arms to fall into at road’s end. That is exactly the same for us in our spiritual journey towards Christ.
We will only CURSE our broken road if our loving Savior is not awaiting us at its end. This road is cluttered with past relationships that disappointed…dreams that have died…plans that went awry…happy seasons that won’t return. It will only be a broken road that leads to NOWHERE..a hopeless end.
BUT if it is actually a road that has “led (us) into (God’s) loving arms” then this road is not cursed but actually blessed. It is a road that leads to an endless hope!
I have had the privilege the last several months to be growing with five men on individual Zoom calls and share with them things that have been helpful for me in my journey of faith. It has been a great joy to be with men who are hungry to grow in their relationship with Christ. It is clear as I have gotten to know their stories that they have each been led through individual “broken roads” while on their way to coming to know Christ. I ask myself, “How can I see the blessing of this broken road so clearly for THEM but not for MYSELF?”
How can I look at my past and not feel a victim of past stumbles, falls or outright wrong turns I have made? There is only one way to be free from the torment. It is to settle, once and for all, by faith in God and his word, that HE is overseeing my entire journey from start to finish! He has designed it ALL, the good, bad and ugly, to lead me into His loving arms.
My relationship with Him today or tomorrow would not be the same if these painful things had not occurred! He knew what I needed to go through on MY journey because He knows me and loves me so well. My “losses” have only lightened me from continuing to carry the heavy backpack of worldly affections. Also, my losses are divinely-designed road signs pointing me back onto His narrow path. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67)
“Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms…”
We can rejoice with the Apostle Paul, who gave up his previous belief in self-effort, law-keeping righteousness that depended upon him “doing it all right.” (He had climbed the ladder of success in religious zeal but found out it had been leaning against the wrong wall! )
He writes, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:8-9)
He also wrote by the Holy Spirit, “And we KNOW that in ALL things, GOD WORKS for the GOOD of those who LOVE HIM, who have been called to HIS PURPOSE.” (Romans 8:28, emphasis mine)
Yes! Lord, we do bless the broken road that has led us right to YOU!
Written by Jamie Bohnett. Contact the Author: jamiebohnett@gmail.com