When Heaven Opened Over a Broken Composer

In the summer of 1741, George Frideric Handel was a man undone. At fifty-six, he was crushed by debt, weakened by a stroke that had partially paralyzed his right hand, and abandoned by the London audiences who once adored him. His career appeared finished. His body was failing. By every measure, Handel was a man at the end of himself.

Then a friend named Charles Jennens sent him a libretto — nothing but scripture passages arranged to tell the story of Christ, from ancient prophecy through resurrection. Something ignited in Handel. He began composing on August 22 and barely stopped for twenty-four days. He scarcely ate. He hardly slept. When his servant brought him food during the composition of the "Hallelujah" chorus, he reportedly found the composer in tears, saying he believed he had seen Heaven itself and the great God seated on His throne.

The result was Messiah — a work that has moved millions for nearly three centuries.

Here is the mystery of transformation: God did not wait for Handel to get his life together. He met a broken, bankrupt, half-paralyzed man exactly where he was and poured eternity through him. The same hands that could barely grip a fork wrote music that still lifts congregations to their feet.

That is what the Almighty does. He does not require a polished instrument. He takes what is cracked and empty and fills it with glory. Your brokenness is not a disqualification. In the hands of the Living God, it may be the very thing He uses most.