Broken is still Useful
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Broken things are thrown in the garbage because they are damaged and cannot be used again. I slipped on my French coffee pantyhose and realized a long run in both legs. I could not wear this, and so I tossed it aside. I hurriedly slipped on the black one as time was now against me and I wanted to be early for church. It was still cold, and my legs needed something to keep them warm. To my disbelief, this one was worse than the one before. I took both and tossed them in the trash. Fortunately for me, I had a thicker one, which I dragged on quickly and dashed through the door. Sadly, I was still late.
When we returned from church, my daughter went to discard something in the trash and made a great discovery. 'Mom!', she said. ''Why did you toss the pantyhose?' 'Because they are broken', I responded. 'Don't you know that anything that is broken we can use it to make something new? I could make something new for my dolls from this.' She continued. Suddenly, I heard a masculine voice from the other side of the house, 'she's her mother's child.' My husband chided in.
He's correct, but she's her Father's child, too - she is God's child. If we are to be honest, we would be able to share the same sentiment as the pantyhose and agree that sometimes we do feel broken and that we only belong in the trash. We feel broken from sinful habits, fear, sickness, broken marriages, and failed parenting, amongst other things, BUT God specializes in broken vessels. In Psalm 34:18 (NIV), David reminded us that "The Lord is close to the broken- hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' God does not cause the brokenness, but sometimes He allows it so He can work on our broken pieces to create something new and something better for His glory. We are invited to put our broken pieces into the hand of the Master Potter so He can mold us over again. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) says, "But now O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay and You our Potter, and all we are the work of Your Hand." God is the most skilled Potter who knows when to apply more or less, when to relax or tighten His grip, how to squeeze the clay and score our lives with His fingernail, and what temperature of heat to apply to the fire in order to make us into stronger vessels. The Potter is able to see all the broken parts in us that we're unable to see in ourselves. He knows what part to allow to break so He can shape and sculpt us into the image of Christ. Surrender your broken pieces to God and allow Him to make you whole again. God allowed His son, Jesus, to be broken on Calvary's cross so we can be complete. So He can save and redeem us. This is the most costly brokenness ever, but it is worth it. You and I are worth that brokenness. God wants to make us whole, He wants to deepen our faith in Him, He wants to develop the quality of perseverance and to make us whole containers so we can keep the fruits of the spirit within us and to make us a vessel of honor. Why don't you give God your brokenness today so He can mold you over and over into His likeness? Give Him your old things so He can make them new.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Dear Lord, we thank you for your grace towards us and for being our Master Potter. We acknowledge our brokenness and our inability to fix ourselves. Forgive us of our sinful actions that cause us to be broken. Into your capable Hands we place our bodies of lumpy clay so you can make us over again into a beautiful masterpiece of your image. We are grateful that you are available to make us over so won't feel like we deserve to be thrown into the trash. Thank you for redeeming us and making us brand new and say thanks in Jesus' name, Amen.
REFLECTION:
Why don't you give God your brokenness today so He can mold you over and over into His likeness?