Brokenness
Every committed Jesus-follower I know tells a story of brokenness. For some (like me), the brokenness led to true faith. We found ourselves in the middle of a marriage meltdown, or personal financial crisis. Or maybe we’re stuck in conflict with our boss and can see the handwriting on the wall, or we’ve realized that we’re addicted and can’t get out. Whatever the brokenness, we find God is the only one we can turn to. He’s our only real option. As the saying goes . . .
“God won’t be all you need until He’s all you have.”
Not everyone comes to faith this way, but almost every serious Jesus-follower tells about some event, moment, sermon, song, group . . . something that broke them. Something that brought them to their knees and to a deeper faith.
After challenging one of my mentees, he tearfully said, “I want to be broken. If that’s what it takes to get to the right place with God, then I want to be broken!”
I’m convinced my response came straight from Heaven. Without thinking, I said, “God doesn’t necessarily want you to be broken, He just wants you to be humble. It’s a choice you can make.”
A verse . . .
“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
Jesus, as the ultimate mentor, walks ahead of and beside us. He’s the ultimate life coach. Coaches love to engage with teachable people . . . who want to learn and don’t pretend to know it all. While proud people are tough to give grace to, humble people attract grace from God and from other people.
A mentor of mine used to say, “When I’m trying to get a man’s attention, I begin with a gentle word or even a whisper. If he doesn’t respond, then I yell it out. If that doesn’t get his attention, I get out my baseball bat.”
I don’t know about you, but on my journey to Jesus, I can remember several whispers (which I ignored) and a couple of loud challenges (which I rationalized away). But I will never forget that baseball bat. Wife gone, career in shambles, a drinking problem, and no friends to help. It took brokenness to bring humility, which brought Jesus, who brought redemption.
Two paths to find the way of life God wants for you . . .
- Circumstances break you –> You humble yourself –> Jesus becomes Lord
Or . . .
- You humble yourself –> You make Jesus Lord –> Together, you tackle circumstances
Choose the second one. It’s better (and a lot less stressful).
Scripture: So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. (1 Peter 5:6)
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