When a Year Ends, Hope Remains

As we approach the year’s end, I want to express my appreciation on behalf of Broken and Mended for your support this year. I’m not just talking about our financial partners, though we appreciate them very much, but any level of participation—attending a conference, sharing a blog post, listening to our podcast, joining a support group—it all adds up to helping us to continue to pursue our mission of “connecting hurting people to Jesus and each other.” As we reflect on 2025, we praise God for every life touched and look forward to what he has in store for us in 2026.

Perhaps, you are beginning to reflect on your year as well. It may have been an especially difficult year. If so, you have our compassion. Remember to have compassion for yourself as well. Maybe you didn’t get to do all you aspired to do this year. You are still as loved by God as you were at the beginning of the year. Your value is not determined by your productivity but is firmly established as one who is created in the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26ff). Knowing that, it might still bother you that you missed out on so many things you wanted to be a part of this year.

I understand that. We often have goals and plans for the year that do not pan out. This is true about our lives as a whole as well. Many people talk about their bucket list of things they want to do or see before they die. If you have chronic illnesses and pain, your bucket list is likely shortened considerably.

You worry that you may reach the end of your life, and you didn’t get to take that mission trip or volunteer for that nonprofit like you wanted due to circumstances beyond your control. It’s okay if some of your bucket list items are less noble. Wanting to visit some paradise on earth is a desire anchored in our ancient home in the Garden of Eden that has been out of reach ever since the first humans were banished because they rebelled against God. The desire to visit beautiful places and be in awe of the one who created them is an innate desire that goes back to the very beginning.

But take comfort in this: nothing that you miss out on in this life will leave behind an ache in your heart in eternity! The most gorgeous paradise on earth today will pale in comparison to the most mundane place in the new heaven and new earth. The greatest cause you could have served in this life cannot compare to serving God in the next. I invite you to take in this beautiful depiction of our eternal reality in Rev. 21:22-26 (CSB):

I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation describes realities that surpass any effort at literal description. In other words, the most beautiful picture that John (the author of Revelation) can give us through his divinely inspired words is only a hint of the eternal reality we will enjoy with God.

I am a big believer in setting goals. Nothing usually happens of significance without being intentionally aimed for. And more good things happen through our intentional efforts than without them, even if we don’t accomplish all we had hoped. I don’t have a formal bucket list, but I have things I want to do and places I want to see before I die, just like most people.

One of those places is Yellowstone National Park. I may get to see it one day, or I may die before I ever get the chance. Whatever small ache that leaves in my heart will vanish in a single moment in the glorious presence of God. The greater aching that comes from missing loved ones and the grief this tragic world has wrought will be relieved in an instant. As we get ready to bring 2025 to a close, may we keep holding on to the resurrection and new creation promise that awaits all who put their hope in Jesus.

David Heflin

Executive Director

David Heflin is the founder, former president, and current executive director for Broken and Mended. He is married to Katie and has three kids. David was a preacher for over 20 years until he stepped down to focus fully on the mission of Broken and Mended. He started Broken and Mended in 2018 after being inspired by his own battle with chronic pain to connect other hurting people to Jesus and each other. David has a B.A. in Bible from Oklahoma Christian University and a Master of Arts in Religion from Azusa Pacific University. He resides in Woodward, OK.

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