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Brokenness

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  A definition for the word “brokenness” was missing from my dictionary.  It did however have a definition for the word “broken,” which means “reduced to fragments, ruptured, torn, and fractured.” How can this definition mean anything positive?  It sounds mostly negative.

     

   Is there a positive side to brokenness?  From my spiritual walk and experience I have discovered that there most definitely is.  A little piece of insight is garnered from a verse in Job 5:7, which states, “Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.”

    

   The word “trouble” means “to disturb the mental calm and contentment of, worry, distress, agitate, to cause bodily pain, discomfort or disorder to, and to afflict.” Everyone suffers trouble. Why might you ask?

     

   The number one negative reason behind our trouble is that our relationship with our loving Father in heaven is broken.  It is because of this broken relationship that we shut Him out and rely on ourselves.

     

   Why is this a source of trouble?  This one broken, fractured relationship opens the door for everything else to be disturbed and distressed in some way both small and large.

    

   So, the negative side of brokenness is the consequence of our self-centeredness; a me first, you last kind of broken.  This is the source of our preoccupation with trouble.

    

   

   What if your self-centered ways were broken?  What if the fear of relying on God was broken?  What if your self-centeredness was broken just like a cowboy breaks a horse in and can ride it? 

    

   What if you were actually created to have God Almighty, your loving heavenly Father, be the cowboy to break this stubborn horse known as you.  A horse in the wild may be a beautiful thing, but it must take care of itself entirely, and thereby never discovers the fulfilling relationship with a caring owner.

    

   What if you actually found your most fulfilling purpose in life through not only being broken from your own rebellious waywardness, but in finding that complete surrender to the Lord brought you the greatest joys in this life? 

    

   That my friend is the positive side of brokenness.  Breaking that stubborn streak within you and finding out that the One who loves you more than anyone else ever could actively takes care of all of your concerns.

    

   That is what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:25-34, which concludes with Jesus saying, “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

    

   There’s that word “trouble” again.  What if you started praying, “Break me Jesus from my self-centered ways, I choose to rely on You.”

 

Broken in many positive ways, Pastor Roger