the broken

we've all heard it. and for those of us lucky enough we've seen it lived out.

the idea that God uses the broken to bring Him glory. a "broken and contrite heart" is what Scripture tells us He accepts as a sacrifice.
this concept is one that has been on my heart for a while now. i have been blessed to see broken people around me being used for the Kingdom, to come along side other broken people to remind them that they're not alone, and that not only is it ok to be broken, but it is good.

a few weeks ago i decided to go through the Bible and look for all the stories and references of brokenness. and i've been reading these stories of these people who were broken, but joyful. symbolism of brokenness is all over Scripture.

in Genesis Jacob's natural strength was broken when "his hip was wrenched" that he came to a point where God could clothe him with spiritual power.
it wasn't until Moses struck the rock in the book of Exodus, breaking it's surface, that cool "water came out of it for the people to drink".
it was not until Gideon's three hundred specially chosen soldiers "broke the jars thats were in their hands" which symbolized brokenness in their lives, that the hidden light of the torches shone, bringing terror to their enemies.
the poor widow who broke the seal on her only remaining jar of oil and
began to pour it. it was then that God miraculously multiplied it to pay her debts.
esther risked her life and broke through the laws and got favor to rescue her people from death.
Jesus broke the five loaves and the bread was multiplied to feed the five thousand. through the simple process of the loaves being broken, the miracle occurred.
my favorite story has always been of Mary breaking her beautiful jar of expensive perfume, destroying it's usefulness and value, yet allowing the wonderful fragrance to fill the house.
it was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken by thorns and nails that His inner life was poured out like water, for thirsty people to drink and then live.

i spent days pouring over these stories, amazed at God, for His intentionality and His sovereign plan.

and then i started thinking about plants (once a naturalist, always a naturalist) and how it is only when a seed is buried and broken in the earth that it sprouts, producing hundreds of other seeds.

and so it has always been, all the way down through the history of plants and people....God uses BROKEN THINGS.

i think about the people i have been blessed to meet in my life and the brokenness they have endured through their relationships, their finances, their health, their dreams, and their reputation. He uses those who seem totally hopeless and helpless. i'm not writing this because i'm helpless. but i'm writing it because this week i needed a bit of hope. the past few months have been full of adaptation, refining, change, hard adjustments, and reminders to constantly change my perspective to the healthier one. the past year the Lord has broken me in many ways. as painful as it's been, the dust is now starting to settle and through it i am able to see where He has brought me. i see Him using my brokenness to bring Him glory, even if in the tiniest of ways. the idea that we serve a God who will break us to show us more of Him astounds me. and so i will continue to offer myself, a living sacrifice, to continue to be broken. i encourage you to go through and read the all the parts of Scripture where it talks about something or someone being broken. i guarantee you'll come away with a bit more hope.