In today’s church lingo, the word “broken” has become the go-to term for the definition of our state of being. The term is used in songs, sermon’s, books, articles and yes… blogs. We use the word to describe our condition(s).
Before you read much farther, I do want to clarify something upfront! If you are currently brokenhearted and hurting from wrongs done to you, take note that your situation is different than what I referring to here. Thankfully, Jesus does address your situation in Luke 4:18 and states that He has been sent to heal the brokenhearted. In Psalms 147:3 God promises that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. There is hope and healing for your broken heart.
In this writing, I’m referring to the church attributing every negative issue to our broken state. We attribute our failures, our inabilities, and our physical imperfections to our brokenness. We have accepted the mindset that all the imperfect things about ourselves should be attributed to our brokenness. However, brokenness, as the scripture mentions is quite different. The word is used properly when we speak of humbling ourselves in surrender to God with the purpose of Him flowing through us, for his glory.
This world we live in is broken. Before coming to Christ we were broken. God does not see us as broken beings, if we are in Christ. As a matter of fact, scripture tells us that we are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). This claim by the church that “we are just broken People” feels like a “Yeah but” against what God says about us. Don’t get me wrong - we are to be broken! Brokenness is not a result of the exterior happenings that make us feel less than or not enough. Nor is it the weariness we experience due to us holding onto some expected outcome. Brokenness is not the emotional trauma that we have endured and carried ourselves, only to find that our strength was not enough. It is not the excuses we make for ourselves. The brokenness the Bible speaks of is completely different. Grace, (the power to be and do what we can’t be and do in our own strength) covers our inadequacies caused by the fall in the Garden of Eden and our old nature.
The Apostle Paul writes in the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter 12, “when I am weak, then I am strong,” (as one who is depending on God’s grace). The external things that destroy the faith of many people are what Paul considered pleasure and delight! How could he say that about our trials? Because he knew God’s grace would strengthen him. He also knew that God’s grace was always sufficient for whatever came his way! In personal weakness, God’s grace imparts strength. His power is perfected in our weakness. Weakness without this grace is misery and continued weakness.
Scriptural brokenness is not the results of something that happens to us. True Brokenness results in Us happening to something! It’s not being victimized by circumstances but is being dependent upon and submitted to God’s plan and power in order to destroy the works of darkness and bring light to those situations. Life’s truest satisfaction comes when He increases and we decrease (John 3:30). For it is God who works in you (us), both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
“There is something of great value within us, but we are like pots made of earth and clay. This power is greater than any other power. But it comes from God, not from us. We have much trouble, but we do not give up. We are in hard places, but help always comes. (2 Corinthians 4:7-8 World English New Testament)
In biblical times clay pots that contained valuable items were typically sealed. In many cases there was no way to sample what was inside a container. The container had to be broken to access the treasure within. As it is with the vessel that this scripture speaks of, we must be broken, willingly, to allow the power of God within us to be manifested.
Notice that circumstances and hardships listed in the scripture above are not what is referred to as brokenness, or the cause of brokenness. There is hope and help in all circumstances. Breaking is what comes from our humility to God’s greatness and goodness.
Scriptural brokenness is intentional. It is deliberate with a purpose in mind.
The night Jesus was handed over to the soldiers, He took bread. When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take this bread and eat it. This is My body which is broken for you. Do this to remember Me.” (1 Cor. 11:23-24).
Jesus intentionally gave Himself to be broken for us! Brokenness for the believer means to die to self so that His abundant life can flow through us, bringing life to others. Brokenness is necessary to reveal purpose. Every Christian’s purpose is about the Kingdom of God and living for something bigger than ourselves, for those other than ourselves.
As the popular saying goes, “Think broken – Feel broken – Act broken”…. Okay, I admit, that’s not a popular saying. I’ve never heard that before now, but there’s truth in those words. Brokenness is not a state of being that needs healing. It’s the beginning of something powerful. As long as we keep telling ourselves that we are broken, in the sense that we are focusing on our faults and circumstances, we will live in that reality. We have a choice in what and who we IDENTIFY with! Let’s stop using the word “Broken” as an indicator of what’s wrong with us and realize it is a powerful reference of humility and submission to God’s reign, which leads to revival and restoration for ourselves and others.
