The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
Intimacy with God goes hand in hand with your brokenness. Your desire for intimacy with the Lord will be accompanied by brokenness, as it escorts you into intimacy with eternal God. It is your date with destiny. A broken and contrite heart delivers intimacy with the Lord. Do not despise a broken condition as it is temporary anyway. Rather, delight in its opportunity for intimacy. You long to know Jesus in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:10). These prayers were not in vain. Your brokenness is answered prayer. The answer may not be exactly what you expected. You may have anticipated a smoother route, a paved road free of bumps or pot holes. But the path of personal and intimate relationship with Christ is not always easy.
Most of the time, intimacy requires difficulty. It is at this point of pressure and discomfort that some people disembark the train of intimacy. It is much easier to talk about an intimate relationship with Christ than it is to arrive at this point through brokenness. However, this is an exercise in convenience. It is like placing a “Do not disturb” sign on the door of our life, in place of the “Clean up my room” invitation. Brokenness is inviting God to come in and cleanse our lives. He stands at the door of our heart and knocks (Revelation 3:20). When we invite Christ into our broken lives, He comes in. Intimacy is then unleashed on His terms, not ours. It is only when we surrender in total desperation and total dependency on God that we experience authentic intimacy.
Intimacy with God through brokenness is not unlike what we experience in relationships with people. Hardships and brokenness are meant to grow us closer to other people. A crisis will either drive you further away from someone or closer together. God’s best for you is to make you relationally stronger with one another during a season of brokenness. But brokenness is not a one-time phenomenon. It is an ongoing part of the believers life. It’s not as if you swallow this hard pill one time and are then set for a lifetime of intimacy with God. Once God has marked you with brokenness, then you are positioned for Him to build on this firm foundation. He will still use mini brokenness throughout your life.
Most of the time, intimacy requires difficulty. It is at this point of pressure and discomfort that some people disembark the train of intimacy. It is much easier to talk about an intimate relationship with Christ than it is to arrive at this point through brokenness. However, this is an exercise in convenience. It is like placing a “Do not disturb” sign on the door of our life, in place of the “Clean up my room” invitation. Brokenness is inviting God to come in and cleanse our lives. He stands at the door of our heart and knocks (Revelation 3:20). When we invite Christ into our broken lives, He comes in. Intimacy is then unleashed on His terms, not ours. It is only when we surrender in total desperation and total dependency on God that we experience authentic intimacy.
Intimacy with God through brokenness is not unlike what we experience in relationships with people. Hardships and brokenness are meant to grow us closer to other people. A crisis will either drive you further away from someone or closer together. God’s best for you is to make you relationally stronger with one another during a season of brokenness. But brokenness is not a one-time phenomenon. It is an ongoing part of the believers life. It’s not as if you swallow this hard pill one time and are then set for a lifetime of intimacy with God. Once God has marked you with brokenness, then you are positioned for Him to build on this firm foundation. He will still use mini brokenness throughout your life.
These regular occurrences are bricks of brokenness connected together by the cement of His grace. Over time, a life of brokenness becomes a stalwart structure of sanctification designed by God. Your brokenness is meant for your betterment. We are much the better when we experience a defining moment of brokenness. It deserves our embrace, rather than our rejection. If we fight brokenness, we delay God’s best. You circumvent intimacy with Christ if you bypass brokenness. Focus energies on changing self, not circumstances. Christ will handle the circumstances while you adjust your attitude. A life of brokenness is an invitation to intimacy. His closeness and salvation are worth this time of brokenness. Don’t buck brokenness. Instead, rely on Him and get to know Him at this deeper level of intimacy. You are much better broken because brokenness leads to intimacy with God.
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Rev. Todd A. Brown, Pastor
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd. Mclean Va. 22101
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd. Mclean Va. 22101
Worship with us Sundays at 10:45am
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"
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