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“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.”
Psalm 51:8 (NIV)

In the school of Christ, brokenness is a good thing.

Here’s why: It’s impossible to become intimate with God unless we are broken of our independence, broken of our pride, and broken of our insistence that our way is better than God’s.

We must be broken of the illusion that we bring anything to the peace talks when we seek to end our war with God; the only surrender God requires is unconditional.

Brokenness is the last stop before we finally confess, “I can’t; God can.”
Brokenness is the apostle Paul confessing, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24 (NIV).
Brokenness is the prodigal fighting with the pigs over food. Luke 15:11–32.
Brokenness is Joseph, still in prison, forgotten by the cup bearer. Genesis 40:23.
Brokenness is Jonah in the belly of a whale, confessing the consequences of running from God: “I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:12 (NIV).
Brokenness is Peter weeping bitterly outside the trial of Jesus.
Luke 22:62.
Brokenness is Jesus abandoning everything to God: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 (NIV).

God breaks us so he can use us. We can smash our pride against the solid rock of Jesus, confess our sins, and admit our need for him; or the stone can fall on us, meaning God in his ruthless, loving pursuit of us will break us of our pride, sin, folly, and independence. Matthew 21:44.

Like Jesus serving bread at the Last Supper, God takes us, breaks us, blesses us, and then uses us.

“Oh, Lord, may you hear our joy and gladness; may the bones you have crushed rejoice.” Psalm 51:8 (NIV, author paraphrase).

By Jon Walker
Used by Permission

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“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
Revelation 22:17

My new friend texted and asked, “Would you like to come over for brunch on Sunday?” The invitation was the preface to a choice. Would we accept or decline?

When an invitation is polite, it softens the words and leaves the invitation open. Without politeness the words may sound like a strident command. For instance, “Please come over” has a much gentler tone than, “Come over here!”

Is it possible that many commands of Jesus are also invitations? I’m beginning to think so.

In John 15:4a Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” It’s an invitation to come be an integral part of a family, to take up space because a space has been made for you. You are invited to settle down securely and be at home with Jesus and, therefore, with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

It’s also an invitation to be part of a life-giving system. In John 15:4 Jesus goes on to say, “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” This is an invitation to spiritual vitality and effectiveness.

The invitation in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” is coupled with the command, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). What? A yoke? Who needs that? Yet it’s the yoke that symbolizes the connection. It is the reminder that we are in this with God rather than striving alone, carrying burdens that are too heavy for us.

What is Jesus inviting you to today? Will you drink from His thirst-quenching supply? Live with him? Bear fruit and experiencing rest?

Lord Jesus Christ, I am thirsty, hungry, and tired of trying to do life on my own. Will you please help me accept your invitations and follow the directives I find in them?

By Sue Braid