We all face difficulties and struggles and bumps in the road in our lives. But then there are moments that go beyond mere troubles and become tragedies. A hurricane or a tornado decimates a community. A death or divorce rocks a family. A firing or a foreclosure devastates a financial future. The trajectory of tragedy takes us to a place that leaves us ruined.

When we are ruined, we face unavoidable questions. What are we supposed to do when life crashes down around us in this way? Why does God allow His people to go through such pain and misery? Could God show us meaning during this kind of crisis in our lives?

Job was a character in the Bible who knew firsthand what it was like to be ruined, and yet he would answer this question with a yes. Job would even go one step further to tell us that we have opportunities when we are ruined that we will never have at any other time in our lives. The trajectory of Job's life left him with a story that shows us that being ruined is not the end of our lives. Instead, the truth that God speaks is that even tragedy can lead us toward greater triumph.

That’s a hard act to follow. If I could get away with it I would just copy The Raven below, have you read it, and then say, “and so it is with the Ruined artwork.” Now I’m not saying that The Raven is the best picture of “Ruined” in existence (and I’m not saying it isn’t), but it is a pretty close depiction of how the realization of ruin plays out in our lives. You get weak and weary, regretful and grief-stricken, and (please, please, please) slightly hopeful before barreling past madness and coming to rest in utter indifference (and hopelessness). And that wretched bird just sits there, ‘Nevermore.’

In one sweeping motion, you’ve dropped completely out of the Portrait of the Absolute and plummeted into a world of affliction. And of course you are by yourself (except for that wretched bird – always reminding you). And while you are by yourself, you have plenty of time to think. How? Why? What? Even those questions usually don’t get answered, and in turn they make the weak weaker, the regretful guilt-ridden, and the mad indifferent.

However, somewhere between weak and weary, regretful and grieving, madness and indifference, lives Hope. I like Hope. It overshadows misguided questions like how, why, and what while raising a new question: Who? Though I am ruined, I am not removed – Who cares about me. Though I am falling to pieces, I am not forgotten - Who remembers me. In the how, the why, and the what, there is struggle and hostility and friction, but in the Who, there is purpose. I have purpose. I have the Who.

Master Teacher's Guide [ view sample ]
The Master Teacher's Guide is designed for use in large-group settings such as Wednesday night gatherings, combined Sunday School classes, summer camps, and other worship gatherings. It contains background information, explanation and application points, opening illustrations and stories, prompts for personal stories, and life-changing Turning Point activities.

Leader's Guide [ view sample ]
The Small Group Leaders Guide is perfect for use in Disciple Now settings, in-home small groups, individual Sunday School classes, and other settings with one leader and 10-15 students. It contains background information, explanation and application points, group activities, discussion questions, and life-changing Turning Point activities.

Gathering Tool
The Gathering Tool is designed to provide an opening illustration for groups that meet together in a large group before dividing into small groups or Sunday School classes. This will allow small groups to experience the series video and will add to the overall experience of going through the series.

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