Through the Broken

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

Have you ever been driving your vehicle and noticed the greenery growing out of the cracks in the sidewalks or roads?  It amazes me how what once was land is covered with a solid foundation of concrete or asphalt – then with one teeny tiny crack, a weed or blade of grass can find its way through. At times, these weeds are even more beautiful and grow much easier than my intentionally planted flowers.

As I thought about this illustration, I made this connection – it is only through life’s brokenness that growth in the Lord can take place in a person’s heart.

Whatever brokenness you are experiencing, know that the Lord is near (Psalm 34:18).   God does not take pleasure in your brokenness (Lamentations 3:33).  God takes your brokenness and allows beautiful things to grow out of the broken for your good and His glory – if you allow Him (Isaiah 61:3).  It is God’s desire to mold your heart into all that He created it to be – like His Son, Jesus Christ – through the broken (Isaiah 64:8).  

How are you growing in the Lord through the brokenness of your circumstance?  What Christ-like characteristics are blooming in your heart because of the cracks?   What do you need to do to allow the cracks to grow good fruit, instead of allowing the heat of the circumstance to dry up the potential greenery?

Lord, you know what I am facing.  Thank you for the cracks in my life as they allow your perfect hand to reshape my heart.  Even though this is temporary because it’s through the cracks, it still hurts, and more than often I complain instead of allowing the brokenness to lead me to your cross.  I get stuck and tend to not press into you for help.  Yet, you were broken for me and understand the suffering I am going through.  Teach me how to allow the broken to lead me to you – where I will grow the green that looks more like you. May I trust you in the heated circumstance by submitting to the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name, Amen.