The Beauty of Brokenness

There is a beauty in brokenness that the world cannot understand. The world values strength, self-sufficiency, and independence. But God values a broken and contrite heart. Psalm 51 verse 17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise." God does not despise brokenness. He treasures it. He draws near to the brokenhearted. He uses broken people to accomplish His greatest purposes.My dear friend, brokenness is not the same as being emotionally shattered or destroyed. Brokenness is a state of humility and dependence on God. It is the place where your self-sufficiency has been shattered. It is the place where you realize that you cannot do life in your own strength. It is the place where your pride has been crushed and your independence has been surrendered. And in that place of brokenness, God can do His greatest work in you and through you.Think about the alabaster jar in Luke 7. A woman who was a sinner came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus's feet. The breaking of the jar released the fragrance. If the jar had not been broken, the perfume would have remained inside. But when it was broken, the fragrance filled the whole room. That is what brokenness does in your life. It releases the fragrance of Christ through you.Think about Jacob. He was a man who relied on his own scheming and manipulation. He tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright. He deceived his father Isaac. He outsmarted his uncle Laban. He was self-sufficient and proud. But God broke Jacob. He wrestled with him all night and touched his hip, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp. After that night, Jacob was never the same. He walked with a limp, but he walked with a new name, Israel, which means one who struggles with God and prevails. Jacob's brokenness led to his transformation.Think about the apostle Paul. He was a man of tremendous ability, education, and pride. He persecuted the church with zeal. But God broke him on the road to Damascus. He was struck blind and led by the hand into the city. His self-sufficiency was shattered. He had to depend on others. After that encounter, Paul was a different man. He wrote, "When I am weak, then I am strong." His brokenness released the power of Christ through him.So how do you embrace the beauty of brokenness? First, understand that brokenness is not punishment. It is invitation. God is not angry with you when He allows brokenness. He is inviting you into deeper intimacy with Him. He is making room for more of Him and less of you.Second, stop resisting the breaking process. When God allows circumstances that break your pride, your self-sufficiency, and your independence, do not fight it. Surrender to it. Let God do the work He is doing in your heart.Third, in your brokenness, run to God. Do not run away. Do not try to fix yourself. Do not numb the pain. Run to the Father. He is near to the brokenhearted. He will meet you in your brokenness.Fourth, let your brokenness make you more compassionate toward others. Broken people are gentle with the brokenness of others. Your pain prepares you to comfort others who are in pain.Fifth, offer your brokenness to God as a sacrifice. You may have nothing else to give. But you can give Him your broken heart. He will not despise it. He will receive it and use it.What this produces in your life is the fragrance of Christ. When you are broken, the beauty of Jesus shines through your cracked places. Your weakness becomes a vessel for His strength. Your brokenness becomes a platform for His glory. The beauty of brokenness is that it makes room for Jesus. And Jesus in you is the most beautiful thing in the world.Let us pray. Father, I offer You my brokenness. I have tried to be strong in my own strength. I have been proud and self-sufficient. I surrender. Break me if You must. I want less of me and more of You. In my brokenness, let Your beauty shine through. Let the fragrance of Christ fill my life. I give You my broken heart. You will not despise it. You will use it for Your glory. Make me beautiful in my brokenness. In Jesus mighty name, amen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.