Last week my husband, our 10-year-old fur-baby, and I visited the Oregon Coast.

During our trip, we stopped at a local glass blowing shop and we had a chance to watch the creation of a glass float.

It’s a fascinating process.

Raw materials, shards of color glass and molten glass, molded together – refined by the fire and placed under the pressure of the artist’s tools to mold the glass into the desired shape.

Then the moment came, the artist literally blew life into the molten glass. Allowing it to expand, taking on its final shape.

The finished float was heated with a torch to polish its surface and placed in an oven to slowly cool overnight.

The process had taken bits and pieces (from a naïve perspective items that would have seemed worthless) and made them whole.

The finished float was beautiful.

Luke shares a story about a “notorious” woman whose life had been shattered by her habitual sin. Luke 7:36 – 50 says,

(36) One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house [in the region of Galilee] and reclined at the table. (37) Now there was a woman in the city who was [known as] a sinner; and when she found out that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume; (38) and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began wetting His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and [respectfully] kissed His feet [as an act signifying both affection and submission] and anointed them with the perfume. (39) Now when [Simon] the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, that she is a [notorious] sinner [an outcast, devoted to sin].”

(40) Jesus, answering, said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Teacher, say it.” (41) “A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. (42) When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” (43) Simon answered, “The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more.” Jesus said to him, “You have decided correctly.” (44) Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house [but you failed to extend to Me the usual courtesies shown to a guest]; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair [demonstrating her love]. (45) You gave Me no [welcoming] kiss, but from the moment I came in, she has not ceased to kiss My feet. (46) You did not [even] anoint My head with [ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly and rare] perfume. (47) Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (48) Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (49) Those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (50) Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith [in Me] has saved you; go in peace [free from the distress experienced because of sin].”

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Luke’s account of this woman is all we will find in the Bible. Yet, her story powerfully depicts God’s response to human brokenness.

The woman had a reputation – shards of brokenness, a social outcast, a person that had devoted her life to sin.

She heard about Jesus and when given the chance, sought Him out, knelt at His feet, and surrendered her past.

Through her tears and a selfless act of love, she demonstrated her repentant heart. A simple act of humility changed the course of this unnamed woman’s life.

She was transformed by an encounter with Jesus and in return, Jesus forgave her and set her free.

Before Christ, our lives are filled with shards of brokenness, our pride, self-righteousness, anger, and sin.

Yet Jesus waits patiently for us to come to Him and in that instant and for the rest of our lives, our creator refines us, molds us, and polishes us into the image of Himself.

We are transformed, broken pieces made whole.

BeLOVED, you can be confident that regardless of your sin, the struggles you may face, the pain you may be experiencing, Jesus is available to make your broken pieces whole.

Trust Him.

Rest in Him.

Be Blessed,

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