The Missing Piece

“. . . the multitude wondered when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.” (Matthew 15:31)

Jesus, full of mercy and compassion, cared for the physical needs of the masses who followed Him as He performed miracle after miracle. They were awe-struck when He made the dumb speak; the maimed (hurt, damaged, mutilated: armless, handless, footless) completely whole; the crippled walk, and the blind to see. While they looked for physical healing, He wanted spiritual healing as well for their total well-being. Though Jesus healed them physically, many stayed spiritually broken.

Today, we too marvel when The Great Physician heals physically, yet sometimes forget He wants wholeness within as well. So often, life strikes an unexpected blow, and something breaks—again. It may be your pride, your heart, your family. You pick up the pieces and put them back where they belong. But the repairs of brokenness are now obvious; stress lines are visible; the “fixed” is more fragile than before, and you were unaware of a missing piece—until you noticed the empty spot. As you search diligently for the part, with tears streaming down your face, you realize you have been mending yourself, and your “glue” wasn’t holding.

Our efforts can’t heal life’s brokenness; pieces will fall again. In the busyness of self-repair, we sometimes miss our Father’s nearness when He whispers, “Child, I am here, trust Me.” In the moment of your submission, He mends your brokenness. As you surrender to the Father’s care, inviting Jesus to fill your life, you experience true healing—you can live in wholeness. Praise God that Jesus is the missing piece of broken lives, and God’s “glue” holds.