MONDAY, August 30

John 8:21-32. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

The truth has not always made me free. The truth of learning that a loved one has been terribly injured or has contracted an incurable disease, or that one has lost his or her job hurts me as I grieve the capriciousness of life.

Things break. People die. As Leonard Cohen sings about suffering, “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” The truth cracks us.

But there is a larger truth waiting behind the curtain of human drama, and that is the resurrection. Yes, we all die. Even the Son of God was lifted up on the cross and died. But that cross is also where God gathers in every truth and every misery of our lives and administers a higher truth: resurrection. We are born again and set free.

Give thanks today for the things that are cracked and broken in your life. Those are the places where resurrection and new life will occur. (2006)

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PRAY for the Dioceses of Gloucester and Gloucester–Tewkesbury (Canterbury, England)

Ps 25 * 9, 15; Job 12:1-6, 13-25; Acts 11:19-30

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Aug 30, 2010 at 7:44 am

Written by daniel,

thanks be to God for the cracks, the light and the resurrection --

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Aug 30, 2010 at 9:47 am

Written by Barbara Summers,

This expresses an old truth in a creative, powerful way.

Free to reach up

Aug 30, 2010 at 11:02 am

Written by Gaye Anne McWade,

I liked that this writer pointed out the "truth" in Jesus' words, freeing us from being trapped in the awful prison of grief to moving toward the hope in His resurrection.

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Aug 30, 2010 at 11:58 am

Written by Pamela,

From now on, I will look at cracks, especially those in myself, in a completely different way.

Light in the Darkest of Places

Aug 30, 2010 at 1:59 pm

Written by Mark,

I read this at an interesting time. A man with terminal cancer just appeared back in my office building 2 minutes prior, and will be coming back to work. He took everyone's picture, knowing he will eventually be too sick to work with us ever again. Today, he is both the crack and the light that shines through. Please pray for him and all like him, that we may all see the example of Christ in his strength.

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Aug 30, 2010 at 11:35 pm

Written by Donna,

Since the death of my sweet child a year and a half ago, my heart is broken and cracked. My prayer is that God will guide my grief for his glory.

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Aug 31, 2010 at 11:45 am

Written by Elise,

Powerful message. Such hope! Thank you Forward Day by Day for providing such a great ministry.

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