Broken

Brokenness is a popular talking point in today’s society. Being broken-hearted often has to do with being disappointed in others for failing to meet our expectations. Having our hearts broken can refer to rejection, failure or a breach of trust.

Feeling broken is much different than being broken.

On my last grocery day, I made the routine trip to Costco, where I loaded up on staples; the things that you like to always have in your fridge and cupboard.

When I got home, I opened the back door of the car and out tumbled the carton of eggs. As I watched them fall, I held my breath, hoping that they would be protected by their packaging. They were prepared to be shipped and moved, jostled and handled. They landed on the gravel driveway and looked to be intact! Alas, as I was focusing on the eggs, I failed to notice the 2 kg tub of peanut butter that was chasing them. I can say definitively, that those eggs were not the same after the peanut butter landed on them.

I gathered up the carton and the tub and trudged into the house to investigate the full extent of the damage. With a sigh, I lifted the lid of the egg carton and saw that although the eggs were almost all broken (only two survived intact), it was largely the tops that had smashed and although egg was seeping throughout the package, I could easily remove the large pieces of shell and pour the egg into a container; still usable.

Physically, each one of those eggs was broken; they were shattered and spilled out, BUT they were all still eggs. They could still be used. They were still profitable. They were still valued. Instead of discarding the broken eggs, my girls used them to make a very generous breakfast quiche.

If I were one of those eggs, I would probably feel hurt, embarrassed, worthless, crushed. I would see only that I wasn’t what I was supposed to be. But, when I allow myself to be broken of my own expectations, to be broken of my pride, my wants, my vision and instead give God room to use me, my brokenness moves from being a destructive element in my life to actually becoming life giving. God will give me everything necessary for me to be used by Him when I am willing to let Him break my shell and pour me out to be blended into His plan for my life.

Just because the eggs didn’t fit into my original plan, did not mean that they could not still be used. So it is with our lives. We are often broken by discouragement and disappointment (in ourselves and others), but it is important to remember that there is a Mater Chef who is waiting to use us in His Divine Creation. Our role in His plan might not look like we think it should, but ultimately, if we allow ourselves to be broken for His use, He can use us to create amazing things.

Psalm 34:17-19

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.