Strength in Brokenness
As a community we recently wandered through a teaching series called The Withered Hand. These teachings invited us into a deeply resonant truth: our strength is often found in weakness, healing comes when we reveal our hidden wounds, and true life is discovered when we are ready to surrender. Inspired by the story of the man with a withered hand in Luke 6, Jesus’ invitation to “stretch out your hand” serves as a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey and a foundational story for us at Become New. This series has been a time of deep reflection, vulnerability, and transformation for our community—a Fellowship of the Withered Hand.
Let’s celebrate the lessons learned, the hope we’ve found, and the ways we can keep living these truths, not just today but for the rest of our lives.
A Healing That Starts with Honesty
In Luke 6, the man’s withered hand was both a visible symbol of weakness and a source of shame. Yet, Jesus called him to stand in front of everyone and stretch it out. He didn’t ask the man to fix himself or hide his brokenness—just to be willing.
For us, this story stands as a reminder to confront areas of life we want to keep hidden, those areas that have been deemed shameful. When it comes to these areas of shame come the hopeful words of Henri Nouwen: “Our brokenness is so visible and tangible.” We’re encouraged to bring our hidden parts into the light, trusting that healing begins with honesty.
Throughout this series, we’ve been encouraged to reflect on our own “withered hands” – those areas of our lives where we feel weak, broken, or in the need for healing. These might manifest as strained relationships, persistent habits, or deep-seated fears. The journey of healing often begins with a simple step: acknowledging the need for help. By opening up to a trusted friend or bringing our struggles before God in prayer, we create space for transformation. This process of vulnerability, while challenging, can be the catalyst for honest change and growth in our lives.
Pain as a Strange Gift
One of the series’ most resonant lessons is the idea that pain, while unwelcome, can be transformative. Like the rusty nails in James Michener’s apple tree, wounds in life can awaken us to love and purpose. Jesus’ wounds, still visible after his resurrection, are a testament to the redemptive power of suffering.
Instead of running from pain, it is better to embrace it as a doorway to growth. This doesn’t mean minimizing suffering but recognizing that God can use even our hardest moments for good.
Pain is difficult, no doubt about it, but it often reveals unexpected blessings. Many in our community have shared some of their personal stories of how past struggles have shaped their character, deepened their faith, or even equipped them to help others facing similar challenges. These experiences, while often unwelcome at the time, can become powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness and transformative power in our lives. As we reflect on our own journeys, we may find surprising ways that redemption has emerged from pain, reminding us of God’s constant presence even in our darkest moments.
The Power of Persistence
We’ve also explored the call to keep stretching out our hands, even when it’s hard. Persistence in prayer, relationships, and acts of service is a hallmark of the Withered Hand journey. Jesus didn’t restore the man’s hand privately—he restored it as a public act of faith.
In our own lives, persistence means continuing to trust and act in faith, even when results aren’t immediate or assured. As Nehemiah said, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down” (Nehemiah 6:3).
Persistence is purposeful in the life of faith. Many of us can relate to moments when we’ve felt like giving up on a long-standing prayer or a challenging goal. These moments of doubt and fatigue are natural, but they also present opportunities for growth. By recommitting to our aspirations and continuing to stretch out our hands in faith, we often discover unexpected strength and resilience. This process of persevering through difficulties can deepen our relationship with God and lead to personal transformation, even when the immediate outcomes aren’t visible.
A Community of Grace
The Withered Hand series has also been about community. We’ve learned to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. The testimonies shared—of addiction, chronic pain, and mental health struggles—remind us that we are not alone.
As one community member shared, “God is the only reason I have made it this far.” These stories teach us the beauty of shared vulnerability and the strength that comes from walking together in faith.
The power of community shines through in times of struggle. Within our fellowship, we’ve witnessed countless moments of connection and support. Members have shared how a timely word of encouragement or a sympathetic ear made a significant difference during their challenges. These acts of kindness, often simple, exemplify the spirit of our community. They remind us that we’re all on this journey together, supporting one another as we stretch out our hands in faith and vulnerability.
Keep Stretching Out Your Hand
As we bring the Withered Hand series to a close, there is before us a new beginning. The lessons we’ve learned are seeds of change planted deep. Life’s challenges will persist, but we now carry a powerful truth: in our weakness, we find his strength.
The Fellowship of the Withered Hand is a commitment to vulnerability, to stretching out our hands even when they tremble. It’s about embracing our brokenness and allowing God’s healing touch to transform our lives.
As we move forward, let’s carry these truths with us:
- Embrace honesty: Bring your hidden struggles into the light.
- Find purpose in pain: Trust that even your darkest moments can lead to growth.
- Persist in faith: Keep stretching out your hand, even when it’s difficult.
- Lean on community: Share your journey with others who understand.
Today, recommit to this fellowship. Choose one lesson from the series that resonated deeply with you. Incorporate it into your daily life. Share your reflections with a friend or our community. Most importantly, continue to stretch out your hand—in vulnerability, in service, and in unwavering faith.
Together, as the Fellowship of the Withered Hand, we will embrace our weaknesses, find strength in God’s grace, and become living testimonies of his transformative power.
