Broken Things

Just thought I would share a couple thoughts in regards to brokenness...

"I have been reflecting on the inestimable value of 'broken things.' Broken pitchers gave ample light for victory (Judges 7:19-21); broken bread was more than enough for all the hungry (Matthew 14:19-21); broken box gave fragrance to all the world (Mark 14:3, 9); and broken body is salvation to all who believe and receive the Savior (Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Corinthians 11:24). And what cannot the Broken One do with our broken hearts, plans and dreams?"
- V. Raymond Edman

"It is doubtful that God would use someone greatly until He has broken them deeply."
- A.W. Tozer

I think many times, the church, at least from my experience, has equated brokenness with being spiritually weak or immature, that which is of little value to God. It goes against the grain of our society to accept being broken - if something is broken, it automatically loses its value and is often thrown out in the garbage, no longer of any use to its owner. I can see why it's difficult for us to fully grasp the economy of God, where He chooses to use the weak, broken, and foolish things of the world to shame the wise. We naturally gravitate towards the wisdom of the world, trying to fix ourselves up in order to be of any use in the kingdom - but then who would receive the glory? To despise being broken is to despise the very wisdom of God.

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (broken, cracked, and fragile) that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
- 2 Corinthians 4:7