Value and Desire Brokenness
Tom Jacob, Mumbai
Brokenness – the word in itself does not sound very comfortable. Usually, when things in our houses break, we no longer value them. We throw away the broken pieces and replace the broken item with a new one.
Even in the corporate world, whenever there is a job vacancy, the lookout is for the brightest among the candidates who apply. No one generally prefers to hire someone less than the best even though we all agree that nobody is perfect.
In most situations, we tend to obtain and acquire what is perfect and flawless, though we live in a very imperfect world. But, praise be to our God! He specializes in treasuring broken people, Psalms 34:18; and 51:17.
Why does God value brokenness so much?
God had created us perfect, but when mankind rebelled against God, we all became sinners (Rom. 5:19), and with sin came all the imperfections in us. Because of sin, even our righteous works are like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). We became unusable for God.
Nevertheless, when we trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ and on His finished work for our salvation, we were washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Cor. 6:11) to become useful for God. God began a new work in us, in making us a new creation (Eph. 2:10).
However, even after our salvation, we continue to have the old nature within us, which always is in strife with our new nature (Gal. 5:17). Whenever we allow our old nature to have victory, we cannot be used by God. This is where we need brokenness in our lives; consequently, God's purpose of saving us will then be fulfilled in us.
Brokenness Illustrated
Even the Lord Jesus Christ talked about an aspect of brokenness required in believers, giving an example from His mission on earth. In John chapter 12 we read that few Greeks came to meet Him, and the Lord told them: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain", v24. He says that a grain of wheat first needs to die, so that the life within becomes effective to produce much grain. Until the grain of wheat does not die, it remains alone; in other words, it does not serve its purpose as long as it is not planted in the soil.
Here the Lord was using the analogy of a grain of wheat to explain His purpose of coming to the earth – it was not to be crowned as a king and reign over people then, but to give His life as a ransom.
To emphasize on the need of brokenness in those who wished to serve Him, He goes on to say in verses 25 and 26, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me …"
Therefore, if God so values brokenness, how much more should we, who seek to follow and serve Him, be valuing and desiring it in our lives? Let us look at several ways how brokenness can occur in our lives.
Self-discipline
We can experience brokenness in our lives when we practice self-denial and self-discipline. Apostle Paul practiced this in his own life, which he talks about in 1 Cor. chapter 9. Toward the end of the chapter he says in verse 27, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." Self-denial and self-discipline are two things our flesh hates the most. Very easily we often overlook these as it would not be a comfortable experience for us. Nevertheless, remember that this is imperative if we wish not to be disqualified, rather be approved to God. Let's search and find in our individual lives where we can practice self-denial and self-discipline by the help of the Spirit, allowing Him to bring brokenness in our lives so that we become profitable for God.
Divine intervention
In the life of a believer, there are instances when God allows situations to bring brokenness in us. The Psalmist says in 119:68 – "Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word." When God allowed affliction in the psalmist's life, he corrected his life that was earlier without God's direction, and He began obeying God's Word. This uncomfortable situation proved beneficial in the spiritual life of the psalmist.
Moreover, Apostle Paul mentions the time when God gave him a thorn in the flesh to check his pride. Though he prayed thrice to the Lord to remove it, His reply to Paul was, "My grace is sufficient for you; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness." Consequently, Paul tells this further, "Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me." (2 Cor. 12:9 AMP).
God intervenes in the life of His children; He chastises us that we may be partakers of His holiness (Heb. 12:3-11). If we get trained by His intervention as the psalmist and Apostle Paul, it will yield in us the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]. (v11b AMP). Also, remember that every chastisement in the life of a child of God is a visible proof of His immense love for us (Prov. 3:11,12).
Our Choice
A word of caution here: when God intervenes in our lives, we can choose either to grow bitter and be hard-hearted or to understand that His loving correction is for our profit and yield to Him in humble obedience to be more fruitful.
Therefore, may the Lord enable us to value and desire for brokenness, thereby reaping its benefits in our lives so that we are always a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work (2 Tim. 2:21b).
The choice is ours, whether to be outwardly perfect (unbroken) and remain unprofitable for God or to be broken and useful for Him.
Related topic: BROKENNESS: BASIS FOR BLESSINGS
24/08/2023
