Broken For Action

I had to prepare the African Salad on short notice as there was nothing else to offer my visitors. All the other ingredients were ready on time except one – the potash alum. Without it dissolved in water, I would not be able to get my oil and water to mix. In my state of despair, I tried to think of a quick way to get the potash alum dissolve in the water. Then I remembered my chemistry class – a larger surface area speeds up a chemical reaction. I quickly broke the potash alum into smaller pieces. In no time it dissolved in the water, and my meal was ready right on time.

My experience with the potash alum made me realize that the state of being broken can facilitate certain “reactions”. It is no wonder that the Psalmist says of God in Psalm 51:16-17 (NLT), “You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”

There is no doubt that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Though sometimes His presence may not be felt, He is so close to those in grief, pain and sorrow. But there is a different kind of brokenness referred to in the scripture above. It is a heart so broken it looks to Him completely. It is a heart that appreciates His grace and sovereignty. It is a heart that is shattered, has surrendered and reached the point to say, “Lord, I am and I have nothing without you!”

Search your heart today. Is it broken? Is it devoid of the pride that says “my prayers, my service to God and my righteousness has kept me and brought me this far”? Is it free of bitterness towards God for apparently unanswered prayers? Is it saying, “God I’ve got this one, I will only bring the complicated issues to you”? Is it a heart looking towards a man, a connection, or a method to solve a challenge rather than looking to God? Or it is a heart that is crying for divine help, begging for His touch and desiring complete healing or restoration?

God prefers to use “broken vessels” for His service. He performs most of His deepest works on us when we are in a state of brokenness. Sometimes, some delays to prayers could be God waiting for us to get to a state of brokenness. Though He should not be a last resort, it is true that when we get to the point of realizing that we cannot do it on our own, then He shows up.

His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. When He searches, may He find your heart in a state ready to receive Him.

Have a blessed week ahead.