I enjoy spring and fall. Watching the Monarch butterflies migrating in August and September is breath taking. Ever watch a caterpillar become a butterfly? A caterpillar cannot become a butterfly without the struggles of coming out of its cocoon. If you give the butterfly help it will die. The struggle it endures strengthens its wings in order for it to fly. When there is no struggle the butterfly is weak and will die.
How does this work with people? Moses stuttered. John and Mark were rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob lied. David had an affair. Solomon had too many wives and concubines. Jesus was too poor and wasn't schooled in the right religious institutions. Abraham and Sarah were too old. David was too young. Peter was impulsive. John had a temper. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer, as was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed. Elijah was burned out. Martha worried too much. Matthew was a despised tax-gatherer. Noah had a drinking problem."
Wow and I thought I had problems. Trying to shove these skeletons back into my closet before they start wanting to party. After going through the situations I have been through I have noticed it made me stronger. God also uses our weaknesses for His purpose and His glory.
It was the thorough breaking down of Jacob’s natural strength at Penile that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was by breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb by the stroke of Moses rod, which it let out the cool waters to thirsty people. It was when the three hundred elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, which the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support. It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the whole house. It was when Jesus allowed His body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear that his inner life was poured out like a crystal ocean for thirsty sinners to drink and live.
It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by death that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus on and on, through all history and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have “Broken Things”.
Surely God wouldn't want to use broken things. However, those who are broken in wealth, in self-will and in ambitions, broken in beautiful ideals and in worldly reputation; oft-times in health, despised, utterly helpless and forlorn, God seizes upon them and uses for His glory. It is the “lame that take the prey” Isaiah tells us. It is the weak that overcome the Devil. God is waiting to take hold of our failures and nothingness and shine through them.
Some people are like wheelbarrows; useful only when pushed, and very easily upset. The time to stop talking is when the other person nods his head affirmatively but says nothing. God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.
Sometimes your medicine bottle has on it, "shake well before using." That is what God has to do with some of His people. He has to shake them well before they are ever usable. The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps. We must step up the stairs.
2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Philippians 4:13 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Thank God, He isn't through with me yet. I am thankful and yes, hindsight is twenty-twenty. Now instead of looking back I look at the present in the way God provides opportunities to use my weaknesses and problems to help further His message. I am still the clay and He molds me and forms me into His pottery to serve others.
God loves you no matter what situation you are in. God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him. Don’t look at your life as having problems. Look at it as God is preparing you and strengthening you to become a better person. Don’t give up hope. Be patient and open your eyes to the unseen world that God works in us to help spread his message:
God loves you! No matter what situation you are in.
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