Beautifully Broken

Our brokenness is the bow that God uses to launch the arrows of freedom into others lives. - Louie Giglio 

Love that quote.  Total "aha moment" for me there.  Changing perspective to view brokenness not as weakness or disappointment but what God relishes in us to use in this broken world. God desires that no one should perish. Your story, your past, your mess, your brokenness is exactly what God can use to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel and bring others to salvation.  The mystery that He heals the brokenhearted, sets the captives free.. share your story. Start with where you were broken.. that's a connecting point to a broken world. 
Let's be Jesus and the change in this world, not a Christian version of the world!

God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was the breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod, that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.
It was when the three hundred elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.
It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that se obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.
It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that it's inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, throughout history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS.
Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us.It was when the three hundred elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that se obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live. It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that it's inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, throughout history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS. Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us.

How beautiful is that perspective? That is from a devotional Streams in the Desert a friend gave me and just perfectly illustrates where God has been taking me and changing my perspective on my brokenness.  I always viewed it as my handicap, something I was unfortunate to go through and had to learn from. Move on, overcome it and in the past.  Almost shameful.  Actually, it was exactly that.. SHAME.   It was what I thought isolated me from others.  And what a lie that is.  It is the very thing that God uses to connect us with others and even bring freedom into each other's lives.  I am amazed at how the things of God are opposite of this world. The enemy wants us to keep everything in the dark, hidden.  His main tools are isolation and shame. We need to strive against this.  

Sharing can seem overwhelming.  I believe we need God's help with this.  I believe God not only creates divine appointments when we ask but he also can give us boldness to step out of our comfort zones and share with others.   A prayer that I have found that has changed my life comes from Paul in Ephesians.  Point of reference, Paul writing from jail, asking the church for prayer.  I love that he doesn't ask them to pray for release from jail or his bondage.. that really shows his heart.  His trust and faith in God.  He knew his circumstances were in God's hands and he rested in that.  But what he did pray for was that when he opened his mouth that he would be able to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.. salvation.  He knew it was a mystery and he needed God to bring the words.  I challenge you to join with me in praying this daily.  You won't believe what God will do.  

Ephesians 6:19 (amp)  And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation],

#changingperspective #brokenness #overflowJESUS #revolutionbeginswithme