Categories
Leadership

Brokenness & Transformation: A Lent Meditation


Our old bathroom had two rooms: one for vanities, the other a toilet and tub.
Dark and confining. Functional not inviting.
Cheap white tile and brown stick-on linoleum,
green walls, pickled cabinets, bisque porcelain.
Displeasing dissonance. All must go.
Potential: Could it be better? Brighter?

An afternoon with Jack, Travis and a reciprocating saw begins a radical transformation.
The right tools make the job much easier.
Demolition brings dust and splinters and draws some blood.
Ominous stains lurking behind the tub, the stubborn wall –
they fought hard but they’re gone now.
Brokenness: Things must get worse before they get better.

Virgin wall board, stylish tile, fresh paint, polished granite, new hardware.
Color. Space. Light. Life.
Restoration and Invitation: Come on in and stay awhile.

My heart has two personas: one for my vanities, one that longs to be clean.
Anger and love. Competition and compassion.
Functional but not always inviting.
Stubborn habits, selfish ambitions, proud defenses, carnal passions.
My talents, my dreams, my experiences, my strengths,
me, me, me, me.
Displeasing dissonance. All must go.
Potential: Could it be better? Brighter?

An afternoon with Jesus on the cross begins a radical transformation.
The Roman tool of punishment makes the job much easier.
Death brings dust and splinters and draws much blood.
Ominous stains of my sin, my stubborn will –
they fought hard but have been crucified.
Brokenness: Things must get worse before they get better.

True faith, fresh hope, pure love, new freedom.
Color. Space. Light. Life.
Restoration and Invitation: Come on in and stay awhile.

klc, 3/09

By Ken

Dr. Ken Cochrum (DMin, Bethel University) is Vice President of Global Digital Strategies at Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) in Orlando, Florida. An avid cyclist and aspiring guitarist, he also holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas and a Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He recently co-founded Indigitous.org, a movement passionate about connecting people to Jesus using digital strategies. He previously served as vice president of Cru’s student-led movements worldwide. He and his wife Ann spent 13 years in East Asia where they raised their two children. Ken blogs regularly at www.onleadingwell.com.

2 replies on “Brokenness & Transformation: A Lent Meditation”

Ken – nice post and congrats on the finished work.

As one who saw it in the dust, splinters, blood phase it is an amazing transformation.

Looking forward to a chance to come and stay.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.