Il Miracolo delle Cose Rotte (The Miracle of Broken Things)

The Miracle of Broken Things

I don’t consider myself much of an art enthusiast. If I were visiting a museum of fine art, the most likely phrase to come out of my mouth would be, “I don’t get it.” 

But there is one form of art that I have become fascinated with. A few weeks ago we visited the Italian town of Ravenna, which is known for its churches filled with mosaic art. Floors, walls, ceilings…all covered in Mosaics. What makes mosaic art so unique and beautiful to me, is that it transforms small, individual pieces of broken tile into elaborate images. As we visited these 1400 year old churches, I stood in awe and wonder as I looked up at the walls and ceilings filled with larger than life creations. I thought, “It must’ve taken the artist years to complete this”.

Which piece are you?

I’ll never forget one of my first exposures to mosaic art was in a small town in the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. It was a giant mosaic wall that spanned almost 3 blocks in length! This wall had volcanoes, turtles, birds, dolphins & crashing waves, it was breathtaking. We were there with some friends, and as we stood back and marveled at this amazing artwork, an impression was seared onto my soul. I walked over and pointed to one piece of tile, it was part of the volcano, and I said to our friends..."I think I am this one right here”. 

They looked at me weird and said, "Um, Dustin, what are you talking about?” And then I shared my impression with them; this amazing work of art was created using thousands and thousands of little pieces of tile.  All different shapes, all different colors, all different sizes, no two pieces are exactly alike...but all put together in just the right way...organized just so...and an artistic wonder is born. The one and only thing they all have in common...is that every single piece is broken. 

Now individually, you may look at each piece as just something to be tossed aside, most would see it as worthless. But some skilled artist took these broken pieces, saw their individual potential, and had the vision to create something magnificent with them.

Could it be that God Loves Broken Things?

Whether it’s a broken home, a broken relationship, a broken spirit, or a broken body, the truth of it is...we.are.all.broken. If you are reading this and have ever felt less than, irrelevant, expendable, hopeless, helpless or worth-less because you are broken...then you are in good company.  Welcome, you are not alone. 

But there’s good news. There is a higher purpose in this...you can see it everywhere you look…

“Broken clouds give rain

Broken soil grows grain

Broken bread feeds man for one more day

Broken storms yield light

The break of day heals night

Broken pride turns blindness into sight

Broken souls that need His mending

Broken hearts for offering

Could it be that God loves broken things” (Kenneth Cope, "Broken")

You see, just like these mosaics, God is an artist. And He creates beauty from brokenness. I believe if He had a business card, under His name it would have a one word title:  CREATOR.

In the scriptures, the Lord shows Moses all of his creations; Man, woman, animals, worlds without number, and then...He shares with us His job description: “Behold this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”

...My work and My glory...

Taking broken souls and creating immortal and eternal beings out of them is what brings Him joy. At times I’ve asked myself, “Why? Of all the things a God could choose to do...why spend His effort and energy on me? Why is my little piece of broken tile worth anything?”

I think one reason the Savior has so much love for broken things is because He was broken himself…on our behalf. He knows exactly what that feels like. The prophet Alma foretold what the Messiah’s life would look like...

Alma 7:11-12

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

In the Garden of Gethsemane…He was broken. 

On the Cross at Calvary…He was broken. 

Every Sunday we partake of the Sacramental bread to remind us...that He too was broken for us. 

So if you ever feel broken in your life...then you are in very good company. Welcome to His table. He loves broken things... 

And He is a Master of Mosaics.