BROKENNESS

We have just finished the best of Week of Prayer we have had in years and I am so massively encouraged! People literally came out by the hundreds in the evenings for prayer services and our morning and noon prayer meetings were just great. Our all-night prayer chain had right at 300 people participating! And, more people fasted for 3-days than I can remember in years.

All this has renewed my relationship with Jesus and given me a new sense of healthy brokenness in my heart. Here’s a classic verse on brokenness and some thoughts as we all try and drink some new wine in ’09 (let’s not whine!).

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Ps. 51:17

Humility, daily dying to self and the world, giving of ourselves--this is such an important word for today--greed is the god of this age; personal gain and security are most people’s goal and motivation.

Glorification of self is popular even in the church—self help and success has replaced humility--we have drifted so far from the cross! Please understand I am not talking about being broken-hearted—crushed by sorrow or grief. Some friends in Israel sent me this comparison between brokenness and being wounded that is very helpful. They say one of the biggest problems in the church today is that we are not so much broken, pliable people as we are wounded people.

So, how do we know when we are wounded instead of broken? Here are a few comparisons to consider:
+When wounded, I focus on myself and on my inner pain.
+When broken, I focus on the cross and on Jesus, and I am not so aware of my own pain.
+When wounded, I find it difficult to forgive others, God, and/or myself.
+When broken, I am aware of and accept God’s mercy toward me, and in gratitude, I extend it freely to others.
+When wounded, I am too preoccupied with inner turmoil to see the needs of others.
+When broken, I am free of self so that I am easily sensitive to the needs of others. [Phil 2:3-4]
+When wounded, I am self-protecting, usually unwilling to risk further pain.
+When broken, I want the best for others, and am willing to sacrificially love and serve them. [1 Thess. 2:8]
+When wounded, my goal is a painless life, free of suffering—‘I don’t want to hurt anymore!’
+When broken, my goal is Jesus at all costs [Phil 3:7-10]…even if further pain is involved.


Brokenness has to do with giving not getting--it has to do with embracing sacrifice--with emptying ourselves and being tender before God. I pray for you, my spiritual sons and daughters that the ministry will never become simply a profession or way of life. I pray it will be a reflection of your character and life with Jesus. Let’s keep it real.

Love you,
Papa G.