We get broken in different ways. Sometimes it's through suffering. Sometimes it's the struggle to live an overcoming life in the midst of our ever-present weaknesses. Sometimes it comes through a series of events or choices that have left us completely shattered. Broken.
I'm broken. Without sharing how you got there, I would guess that maybe you are broken too.
I "get" broken people. I relate to those who struggle against their weaknesses. I empathize with those who suffer.
I sense that in our world of quick fixes and distorted doctrines that elevate happiness and prosperity, admitting brokenness is very hard. But brokenness is a reality. And it is not wrong or bad or a sign of not loving God or having enough faith.
Psalm 34:18 says: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
David faced many points of brokenness. And in the midst of them, he knew that God was there. That even with a broken heart, God would receive his prayers.
Psalm 51:16 & 17 says: "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Regardless of how we got here - whether through weakness, suffering or poor choices - a heart, broken and desiring atonement, lifted to God in praise, is a beautiful sacrifice and will not be dismissed.
God loves the broken. He sent his son, Jesus, for the broken.
Jesus is the story of redemption. He came to make the broken whole again. Not whole in the sense that we are perfect and we will never suffer or go through difficult things anymore, but healed, mended and made beautiful so that others would see Jesus through our brokenness. Jesus came so that we could offer our broken sacrifices to God, and find wholeness through complete surrender.
Sometimes it's the broken things that are my favorite. There is beauty in the brokenness. There is beauty in a broken heart.
This song by The Afters is a perfect musical illustration of offering a broken sacrifice to God...enjoy.