The Broken Violin

"In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be." Amos 9:10-12

"The principle, value, and use of brokenness even in this present order of things is illustrated by J.R. Miller in one of his books. He tells of a world-famous violinist who hired the services of the most renowned violin maker of his day. At t he time appointed, the violinist returned to take delivery of the instrument he had authorized. Taking it in his hands, he skillfully drew the bow across the strings. Great disappointment swept over his face. The quality of tone did not satisfy his artistic ear. Raising the violin over his head, he smashed it to pieces on the table, paid the agreed price, and left.

After a period of time the artist again visited the violin maker. Picking up a violin that was lying on the table, once again he drew the bow across the strings. This time he was charmed by the ravishing beauty of the tone. With astonishment he learned that this was the same violin he had broken to bits. The violin maker had painstakingly gathered up the pieces of the shattered instrument and, skillfully assembling them, had made again the broken violin. Now the beauty and brilliance of its tone met the exacting demand of the artist's ear." (Don't Waste your Sorrows, Paul E. Billheimer).

The violin may not look the same, but the music it plays is all the sweeter. Thus, is the gift of brokenness.