...so much better. When I lay my life down, I have purpose. Beautiful purpose and know my life will have meaning in this world, at the hands of God to use how he sees fit.
What a jolting quote. At least to me it was. God has been changing my perspective on our brokenness and this is transformational. To thank Him for the brokenness of our hearts and lives. Even writing that seems almost too radical. But an obedience to the word of God is the one thing that has brought radical change in my life. This goes right along with that our lives are not our own. When we choose to follow Jesus, we lay down ourselves and life becomes about His purpose through us. How can you use this broken life, Lord?.. it is Yours today. It becomes less about self, our desires. It brings healing to how you view your past or even present. He has a master plan. And ultimately it is for beauty, His beauty. It's His beauty He desires to bring to our lives out of the ashes. Freedom from brokenness. That he might be glorified in the earth.
Isaiah 61:3 (esv)
to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.
The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn’t we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God’s purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, “Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.”
If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?
-Oswald Chambers
I don't know about you, but "a slow death through self-pity".. I was bound in that for a long time. And when I look around today, I see most of the church is too. May we grab hold of Jesus' hand and spend time with Him. In the word, in worship, in doing good works... we are changed in only His presence. I'm challenged in that beautiful word, how about you?
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