If God offered the following and you could only pick one, which would you choose?
- Riches beyond compare
- A constant feeling of euphoria
- Perfect health
- A comfortable life
- More friends than you could possibly fathom
- To be spiritually broken and crushed
What was that sixth one again?
Broken?
Crushed?
Sign me up for that! Who wants to be healthy, wise, comfortable, happy or any of that other stuff when we can have the spiritual wind knocked out of us and feel so badly broken we can hardly get up from the fetal position where we are currently sucking our thumb while rocking back and forth. I mean, I don’t want to accuse you of a trick question or a rigged contest, Pastor Rob, but this is a no – brainer! Crush away!
Or, maybe not.
But what if God got to pick?
I find the sixth option to be the one He picks every time for those He plans on using greatly. In fact, there is no way around being broken for Jesus before being used by Jesus.
Period.
Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
And how does God break us?
Through trials. So, if you are a believer, they will come—if not now, then soon. And when they do, will you grow or shrink?
James 1: 2–3 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter (H)various trials, 3knowing that (I)the testing of your (J)faith produces (K)endurance.”
Don’t run from brokenness. It may be that God is getting you ready for great things!