God's Pathway of Brokenness, Pt. 3

It is hard to see the whole landscape when you are at the bottom of the valley, but the valleys are the places where God does His best work in us.

God's Pathway of Brokenness, Pt. 3

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

(Ephesians 2:8-10)

God has a plan. You might not be able to see it from where you are currently in your walk with God. It is hard to see the whole landscape when you are at the bottom of the valley. The valleys are the places where God does His best work in us as He prepares us for maximum effectiveness for Kingdom work. The top of the mountain is a cool place to be. From that vantage point, you can see for miles. It is the same in our walk with God. When we have come through the valley and ascended to the peak, it is a wonderful experience. And what is true in the physical world is equally true in the spiritual.

I am currently working through physical setbacks and trials as I train for another marathon. This type of training is rough! There are many hours of running, stretching, lifting weights, using the foam roller, and getting deep tissue massages (which can be quite painful). But running a race (and more importantly, finishing the race) is such a wonderful feeling and sense of accomplishment. But if I do not put in the long hours of training and preparation, there is no way I will complete the marathon, especially at 59 years of age!

In Ephesians 2:10, we read that every follower of Jesus is God's workmanship, a masterpiece that He is creating in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works. God has good works for you to do to expand the Kingdom of God on earth. What a blessing to be used by God for His glory and the furtherance of the Gospel. In order for us to accomplish all that God has for us to do, we have to die to ourselves. That is not easy! But as we surrender to the Lord daily and allow God to shape us through brokenness, we become prepared to do His work. Like the refiner who burns away the dross so the gold is ready to be presented as a bracelet, necklace, or ring, God refines us so we can be of the utmost use for His purposes.

God's objective in brokenness is to target the obstacles we have erected. God breaks us of self-righteousness, self-will, the flesh, and the attitude within that wants to act independent of God. Why does God do this? Because He wants us to be useful for His Kingdom's work. He has a plan for our lives, and He desires that we live out this plan.

God is up to something great in your life, and brokenness is a part of it. God brings our will to submit to His will so He can accomplish what He desires to do. What is it in your life that keeps you from being used by God? God will use you to the degree you allow Him to break you.