Broken? by J.E. Diaz
“The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O GOD, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
Oh the teeth gritting moments caused by a toddler in a room filled with breakable things! The old “bull in china shop” imagery is not lost on those of us who have experienced spirited little ones. Why? Because broken things have little value. Whether it be fragile dishes or Mack truck carburetors, broke is broke.
In 2014 songwriters John Mark Hall and Bernie Herms of Casting Crowns fame released the soulful ballad Broken Together. The lyrics tell of a marriage in trouble and a man calls his wife to be broken- repentant- with him, for the survival of their relationship. A beautiful song.
The strongest instance in which the word broken has a positive impact is in the Bible. Brokenness in Psalm 51:17 refers to a repentant heart, changed and ready to be healed for GOD’s purposes. In Psalm 34:18 we read “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” No doubt brokenness is where GOD (Who’s strength is made perfect in our weakness) works a mighty, unimaginable work. But let’s face it, who wants to be broken, busted or weak? Every person wants to be strong. To lead, to soar! Singers want to have great voices. Teachers want to teach the best lessons. People want to be the best at what they do. And Christians, GOD bless us, we want to bring our very best gifts to the LORD. But that is not really what He wants from us, is it? GOD instead wants to BE our everything. Completely. All we could ever possibly need, want or present. Even our very strength. Think of the frustration that is removed as we increasingly allow the Master to be GOD over every aspect of our lives. Whew!
That Casting Crowns juice Broken Together, can apply to all kinds of relationships. Especially those that grow stale, become disrespectful, lack honesty or real unity. Like in a church maybe? What if you, me and all the rest of GOD’s people openly admitted our limitations and stood shoulder-to-shoulder broken together? Oh a Mighty Work indeed! Think about it.
“It’s going to take much more than promises this time
Only GOD can change our minds
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”
Hall & Herms, Casting Crowns Broken Together. (C) 2014 Provident Label Group LLC, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment.
