Me:  Aww, Prodigal.  I like that sign!

 

Prodigal:  That is why I wanted you to meet me here.  I thought of you when I saw it and just had to show you.

 

Me:  You know me so well Prodigal, because you are right, I really did like it!  I have another story to share with you today about qualities in each of us.

 

James P. Gills writes in his book The Unseen Essentials about some of our qualities that we all hold at times.

 

Before we develop a working dependence of the Lord, we often must be broken.  Self-will, so opposed to God’s will, declares its mastery of the soul.  Let one ounce of independence remain, however, and its insidious spread, like an unchecked malignancy, will destroy godly dependence and breed rebellion.

Peter, the most outspoken of the twelve disciples, is an excellent illustration of brokenness leading to dependence.  If ever we wanted an example to prove that God does not choose us for who we are, but for who we can become, then Peter is the one.

Peter-impulsive, coarse, self-centered, strong-willed, and independent-hardly qualifies for high honors.  Despite his obvious weakness, he was included with James and John in an inner circle with the Lord Jesus.  He was even privileged to be present during His transfiguration.  Jesus saw through Peter’s human frailties, as He does all of ours.  He chose Peter because he was a man through whom He could work.  The Lord selects His workers today on the same principle.  He always looks at the heart.

A study of Peter’s preparation for the ministry reveals a beautiful example of brokenness.  God brought him through a process that transformed him-body, soul, and spirit-from a life of self-centeredness to one of joyful submission to the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Dependence does not come without struggle-a fierce struggle for the independent, successful individual.  First, God focuses on an area that needs work.  Often, His choice does not coincide with ours.  We would keep our strengths and build up our weaknesses, but our strong points are where we are most susceptible to independence and pride.  An acknowledged weakness can be more readily turned over to God than a strength.  It is too easy to want to rely upon our strong points.

So, the Lord pinpoints a problem that may be hindering what He desires to accomplish in and through us.  It can be an attitude, habit, relationship, or anything we are attached to that stands between us and Him.  Usually, He spots something especially dear to us.

You know that spot that the Lord is poking at.  He is developing a beautiful example of brokenness at this present moment.  He is doing this out of love.

 

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org