Do you feel broken?
If so, you are not alone. It is something many of us experience. Whether physical or emotional, life has a way of beating us down and breaking us apart.
Ongoing physical struggles, from a rapidly deteriorating spine, have on many occasions left me feeling useless in God’s kingdom. While the list of what I can do continues to shrink, pain does its part to try to rob any remaining interest.
If I let it, brokenness convinces me that my life no longer matters. Until God reminds me that my disabilities do not define His ability.
We are but jars of clay. However, when filled with the Holy Spirit upon salvation, we instantly become vessels capable of emitting the glorious aroma of Christ. Perhaps even more so, when broken.
If the fragrance on the inside of an exquisite perfume bottle is never shared, the outward composition matters little. When opened, though, the scent gradually enhances the nearby surroundings.
And if a perfume bottle ever breaks, the aroma literally takes over.
Broken Vessels, Letting Christ Take Over
Christ longs to do just that ~ to take over. He will even use brokenness to bring it about. So that His aroma will be what others sense in our lives, and His strength getting us through what they see.
Are you a broken vessel? Has life as you once knew it gone awry? Have things you love seemingly been ripped apart?
If you answered yes to any, let me assure you that God accepts you, broken pieces and all. You still matter to Him.
Despite the circumstances, allow Jesus to release His fragrance through you. Rather than questioning why things happened or waste time longing for things to go back to the way they were, yield all the broken fragments into His care.
Should you keep believing for a miracle? Absolutely, but in the meantime, stop fretting about what He has allowed in your life. It’s for a reason. His reasons.
Just let the brokenness to do its work. Of softening your heart to others and getting rid of things displeasing to Him. Of trusting Him more and simply doing what you can.
Remember, what we may view as broken, God sees as limitless.
As unique opportunities to be more dependent upon Him, to where every breath has time to offer praise and every moment space for Him to breathe instead.
Though never enjoyable and often contrary to what we want, brokenness that is surrendered to God can render His presence in us unfettered. Something very much worthwhile and needful in our world. His glorious aroma, spilling forth from broken vessels.
Vessels that matter to Him eternally.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
Thank you for this encouraging post. God bless!
Thanks, Pete
I think, Sue, being broken is the ONLY way to come to Christ. Thank you for allowing Him to use you mightily. Your words are a balm and truth from the Lord. Blessings to you, dear, dear friend!
Thank you Heidi. I appreciate you!
Sue:
So good to see and hear from you on the blog. Your encouragement is so true, it reminds me of the song by Casting Crowns “Broken Together”….
“Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I’ll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we’ll last forever is broken together”
We can take the broken pieces of our life, like a testimony, tucking them around the life of those hearts who need God’s unfailing caring and nurturing love.
Bless you my friend,
Zoey~
I love that, Zoey. We can still show that we care and love those hurting…with much more compassion! Blessings and thanks!
AMEN . . . one of my favorite songs to share when out ministering is “He Didn’t throw The Clay Away” . . . He is such a loving awesome God . . . molding us, shaping us, re-shaping us as needed!
Thank you very much. I will have to google that one on my ipad mini—one of the few ways I can still tolerate going online!
I think one of the best things you wrote was that if we’re going through a time of brokenness, we should not try to figure out the “why” or waste time longing for things to go back to the way they were. It’s hard not to do these things, but we might miss out on what God wants to do right now. An excellent, wonderful, and encouraging post! Know that God uses you every time you share His truth 🙂
I appreciate getting that feedback, Lauren. I have had this post sitting in ‘draft’ status for a while. It takes such a toll on me to go online, but I felt like God gave me the words for a reason. He knows if there is anyone who needed it. Thank you, much!
I like this
“Until God reminds me that my disabilities do not define His ability.”
Thanks so much. True, if only we will trust Him, right?
Sue, I would like to share this with a few of my “broken” friends. May I have your permission? Thanks, Annette
Sent from my iPad
>
Of course, Annette. I would be honored.
Dear, sis.
Very wonderful encouraging post, sis. I am happy and grateful to God you could come back again. We keep praying for you. Blessings.
Thanks, Karina. Blessings on your day and kisses for little Andrew!
Amen!! Beautiful and so encouraging!!
Your post made me think of a sermon I heard recently. Here is a part that struck me:
“…sonship is way more important than ministry. Always has been. Always will be. The Lord, when He looks at us as sons, He sees you as a son, not a tool for Him to minister through. The ministry will always come second, and it will come through your identity as a son. So if you concentrate on your gift and what you’re good at, or your office, or your function, or whatever, you will always miss the mark on your identity as a son.” —Randy Strombeck
Your post also reminded me of a worship chorus:
A vessel of honor for God
A vessel of honor for God
Sanctified, holy, so I might be
A vessel of honor for God
Thank you for your input, Rene. For the excerpts of the sermon about sonship. It really resonated with me, for so often when I get discouraged, God gently whispers how much I mean to Him. As His child, I have already ‘done’ the most important work of my life, by accepting and making Jesus Lord. That choice is the most pleasing sacrifice to Him. Blessings, friend
Glad to see you back writing again! Good word!! Thanks friend!! I really enjoyed loving on your Mom last Thursday night!!! Blessings to you and healing to your body!!!
Thank you, Jane. She enjoys your visits.
Great quote from you: ” …until God reminds me that my disabilities do not define His ability.” Ahhh! thank you so much for this truth!
You are welcome. Thank yoi!
Thanks for these beautiful thoughts today!
Yoi are welcome. Blessings on your day
This is beautiful. I do feel broken and I feel some of the most beautiful songs and prayers come from this brokenness.
Yes! Blessings and I will lift you up in prayer.
Beautiful post Sue!
I can really relate to your words at this point in my life. I think when we feel broken we reach out to God with the yearning necessary for Him reveal His nature to us completely. Most of us aim for perfection but it is in a broken state that God can be glorified all the more. Thankfully God doesn’t discard us as broken vessels, but illuminates His light through us all the more. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. 🙂
Thank you so much for the kind words and feedback. I share your sentiments of how wonderful it is that God does not discard those broken!
Thank you for this encouraging post, Sue.
You are most welcome, Bill.
Very beautiful.
Thank you Anna
Beautiful post, Sue. Broken vessels dedicated to the use of the Master accomplish much. Saying a prayer for you today. Blessings. 🙂
Much appreciated!
Amen Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua ❤
We may be broken, but our True GOD who art in HEAVEN picks us up!!
Love Always and Shalom,
Kristi
Beautiful and inspirational. God uses all of our brokenness when we turn to Him and give Him all the pieces of our lives. He remakes us, transforming us to use as vessels that His Spirit will pour out from. Praise God!! Lovely post!!
I appreciate the kind remarks and feedback!
I love your blog and your inspirational posts. God bless you, my sister!!