Brokenness

Ever had a day when you feel broken? That's me, and you know what? It's been too long. It's so easy to get in the routine. Wake up, go to work, come home, go to sleep, wake up, go to work. Everything's fine, everything's great. I'm in control.

In my life that's always when arrogance and self-interest take over. We all need a good dose of brokenness now and again. Nothing ever seems to drive me to my knees quite as fast, and God knows I'm the queen of complacency. I spent the day reading and praying. It was good. Tonight I opened John 1:1 and it spoke to me, vs. 10-13 (NIV) "He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did NOT receive him, (here's where it gets good). Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Maybe it's because I'm painfully aware of my countless sins at the moment, but the fact that my salvation--my eternity-- is not dependent upon anything in this life is so beautiful to me. There it is....in black and white...the Word of the Lord. "children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

We live in a culture so totally based on works and performance that most days I think I'll drown in the pressure. It's a fact we can't even escape in our families....the greatest most unconditional love we'll ever find on earth.

Children of God-- I'm not a mom yet, and this may seem silly to some--but the closes example I have now is my dog. The parents-child relationship is still kinda mysterious to me but here's what having a small creature of my own has taught me. I chose her. Out of an entire shelter of pitiful yapping dogs I picked her. I didn't pick her because of anything she did or because she was deserving or beautiful. I did it because I wanted an animal to love. I don't know about you, but in a small way that helps me better understand the scriptures and Christ's unconditional love for me.

I believe love is why God the Father, created the world. Not because he needed us or needed love. He's God...He has no needs. I didn't need to be loved a dog, there's more than enough love in my life. I took her home with me because I wanted too.

Works based salvation is probably one of the devils best lies. A tactic that has lead millions astray. When I'm not focused on the Lord, or in the Word regularly it ensnares me too.

The Bible couldn't be more clear, "It is by Grace we have been saved, through faith that is not of ourselves. It is a gift from God, NOT BY WORKS SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST." That truth is the only reason I keep pushing, when life isn't so great, when my sins are laid bare, when me and my day are....broken.