We worry over self. To seek first the kingdom of God requires selflessness. The daily task before us is be broken…of pride and self-will.
What is brokenness? – “Roof off to God and Walls down before others.” Humility, poor in spirit, stripping self-reliance, yes to the Lord, no resistance or stubbornness.
What characterizes brokenness? Transparent, nothing to protect/non-defensive, open, non-judgmental, interdependent vs. independent, give others credit,
Brokenness is the critical step toward seeking first the kingdom of God. It requires God’s initiative to attack our self-life or we can humble ourselves – I Pet. 5:5b-7.
From a Sept. 3 & 4, 2005 weekend message “Where Are We Going” at Pantano Christian Church
We want to control life. We’ve all been hurt. We control pain by self-medicating, running over people, using anger, staying busy – a million ways. That control becomes our identity. But it doesn’t work.
If we follow Jesus, we must die. Give up what we think is the right way – our way. Give up the illusion that we can handle life without God. We come to the point we must “die” so God can live in us and meet us at our point of pain.
I must die. I need to confess that I have resisted this for 49 years. I have resisted being broken by God, admitting that I’m weak, inadequate. I compensated by being strong, impervious, competent. I’ve been labeled “commander” and “storm trooper.” I’m a get-it-done leader. I’m addicted to results and what other’s think of me. Admired, but didn’t allow others to love me. I’ve left God out of the deepest parts of my heart where there is real pain and aloneness. I’ve been unwilling to die. But my new journey is allowing Jesus to lead me to weakness, brokenness and inadequacy.
The greatest tragedy – living life and not dying before we die. By not letting God into our hearts we miss the real power of God changing and using us. It is only through a broken heart that God reveals his character and power. That’s been missing in my life.
Jesus, by dying, entered our deepest pain and fears. By dying, he had to trust God to bring him to life. 3 days dead! By suffering and dying he rose to really give life to billions.
