You know what's confusing? What's confusing is when things start tearing apart in areas where you genuinely obeyed God.
When I was sitting in my own comfy bed after a couple of weeks in Uganda, I was pondering... not just things from Uganda, but things in life: family and ministry. There are situations that don't look the way I thought they would. There are circumstances full of brokenness and there are plain old hard things that I just can't swallow.
There are too many moments that feel like they're tearing apart, even though I know I've been obedient. (Because somehow, we still think if we obey God "right," everything should go smoothly. Yeah... no, that's not how this works.)
Are you in a moment or season like that?
From the Tearing Came Breakthrough
Recently one morning while I was sitting and digesting the past several weeks, I had this picture pop in my mind. I started thinking about the veil in the temple, you know, the one God Himself gave detailed instructions to hang in the Most Holy Place? The people who made it were being obedient. Their hands stitched together something of beauty and purpose because God told them to. And then, ta-da! God ripped it apart.
I'm sure they weren't standing there, saying, "Oh wow, this must be breakthrough." No. They were probably confused and wondering what the heck just happened.
I'm picturing it right now. One massive piece of fabric torn straight down the middle, hanging there. All that hard work—poof—gone in a moment.
And then suddenly I saw this: That torn curtain was part of a theatrical stage. And as it began to open, I heard, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Act Two." Or should I say, "Acts 2"—Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out in power. (Photo via Pexels)
The Torn Moment Is Not the End of Your Story
That's when He reminded me, "Yes, there are things I asked you to build, places I asked you to go, things I asked you to carry. But when things start tearing apart, you immediately question everything."
Did I miss God? Did I mess this up? What just happened?
Now hear me, I'm not saying every tearing in life comes from the Lord; most don't. Some things are deeply painful. Loss and heartbreak are real. And God forbid, betrayal... it's oh so real.
Some things are spiritual warfare, and some things are just the reality of living in a broken world. But today He spoke so clearly: "Don't stay focused on that torn moment—the brokenness." Because when the veil tore, that wasn't the end of the story. There was still resurrection coming, Pentecost coming. There was still more that Heaven could see, even when the people standing there couldn't.
So if you're in one of those tearing, ripping-apart moments in life, I believe He's saying, "Don't deny the pain. Don't pretend the tearing doesn't hurt." But ask God, "What's on the other side of this?" Because I know we all have an Acts 2 to step into. (Photo via Pexels)
Let Me Pray for You
If this word resonates with you, I'm praying this over you:
Father, in Jesus' name, I pray for every person walking through one of those tearing moments right now. The thing they built in obedience, the place they went because You said, "Go," and now it looks like it's in pieces. Or maybe it's just life... those moments that are hard, that just don't make sense—broken and torn-apart relationships, sickness that won't relent, things that didn't turn out the way they'd hoped...
God, You're not surprised by any of it. Heaven has a view they don't have yet. Remind them this is not the end of the story.
Holy Spirit, come. Bring comfort where there is heartache. Bring peace where there is chaos. I speak clarity to the confusion, strength to the ones who are exhausted from holding it all together. And where there is sickness that won't relent, I declare healing in Jesus' name.
And Father, for every person asking, "Did I miss You? Did I mess this up? What just happened?" Silence those voices. Draw them close to You. Let them feel Your heart toward them right now in this moment, in the middle of the mess.
And so we come boldly before Your throne of grace and we ask, "What's on the other side of this?" Because we know there is more to this story.
I declare there is still an Acts 2 ahead for every person reading this. The best part is still coming. In Jesus' name, amen.
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Lori Salley
Show Mercy International
Website:Â www.showmercy.org
Email:Â info@showmercy.org
Mike and Lori Salley are the founders of Show Mercy International. They reside in Hermanville, Mississippi. Mike and Lori were married in 1995 after meeting while attending Louisiana State University. They have a passion to assist the poor and hurting, specifically focusing on the orphaned and abandoned children in third world countries such as Uganda. They also have a desire to encourage people right here in the United States to pursue the dreams that God has placed in their hearts and to know that with God everything is possible. For more information on Show Mercy, go to www.showmercy.org.
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