Broken Crayons - What to Do When Life Gets Shattered

2017-07-25

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Broken Crayons - What to Do When Life Gets Shattered Broken Crayons - What to Do When Life Gets Shattered Introduction Life can often feel like a box of crayons, full of potential and vibrant colors. But what happens when those crayons break? This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, led by Matthew Vander Els, explores the idea that brokenness, while painful, can be a pathway to beauty, blessing, and a deeper connection with God. Just as broken crayons can still color, our brokenness doesn't disqualify us...

Broken Crayons - What to Do When Life Gets Shattered Broken Crayons - What to Do When Life Gets Shattered
Introduction

Life can often feel like a box of crayons, full of potential and vibrant colors. But what happens when those crayons break? This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, led by Matthew Vander Els, explores the idea that brokenness, while painful, can be a pathway to beauty, blessing, and a deeper connection with God. Just as broken crayons can still color, our brokenness doesn't disqualify us from being used by God.

The Story of the Blind Man

The teaching begins with the story of the blind man in John 9. The disciples asked Jesus who had sinned, the man or his parents, to cause his blindness. Jesus responded that neither had sinned, but that the man's blindness was an opportunity for God's works to be displayed through him. Jesus made mud with his saliva and anointed the man's eyes, then told him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeyed, and when he returned, he could see. This story illustrates that even in brokenness, God can bring healing and reveal His glory.

The Water Bearer and the Cracked Pot

The message shares a story about a water bearer with two pots, one perfect and one cracked. The perfect pot was proud of carrying water without any loss, while the cracked pot felt ashamed because it leaked water during the journey. One day, the cracked pot apologized to the water bearer for its flaws. The water bearer pointed out that only flowers grew on the cracked pot's side of the path. He had planted seeds there, knowing the leaking water would nourish them. These flowers decorated his master's table. This story highlights that even our flaws can be used for good and bring beauty into the world.

Jars of Clay

Drawing from 2 Corinthians, the teaching emphasizes that we are like jars of clay containing a treasure. Unlike bronze jars that can withstand impact, clay jars are fragile and easily broken. Paul celebrates this fragility, suggesting that our brokenness allows the treasure within us – the spirit of God – to be seen. It is through our cracks and imperfections that God's power and love shine through.

Types of Brokenness

The message identifies several types of brokenness that people may experience:

Emotional brokenness: Caused by emotional abuse, bullying, or harsh words that lead to a subconscious voice of self-doubt and negativity.
Physical brokenness: Resulting from physical abuse, inappropriate touching, or physical ailments that isolate individuals from social norms.
Spiritual brokenness: A feeling of distance from God, a sense that He no longer loves or cares for you.

Biblical Examples of Brokenness

The teaching provides examples of broken individuals in the Bible whom God used mightily:

Moses: Separated from his family, adopted by his oppressors, a murderer, rejected by his people, and exiled. God saw him as perfect, a vessel for His treasure.
Jacob (Israel): A selfish deceiver who was physically broken while wrestling with God. Through this brokenness, he sought a blessing and a connection with the divine.
Yeshua (Jesus): Hebrews 5:7 describes Jesus's brokenness through suffering, beatings, rejection, and crucifixion. It was after all this that He was called perfect.
Peter: Denied Yeshua three times.

The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is presented as a critical step in overcoming brokenness. The story of Brent Avery, who experienced childhood sexual abuse, illustrates this point. Despite his trauma, Avery chose to forgive his abuser and use his experience to minister to others. His message to teenagers was that they, too, could choose to forgive and not be defined by their brokenness.

The Kingdom of God and Brokenness

The message contrasts the ways of the world with the ways of God's kingdom. While the world values military victory and conquest, Yeshua's kingdom is built on love, servitude, forgiveness, repentance, peace, and shalom. Suffering, even brokenness, can be a means to achieving these kingdom values. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 are invoked, stating that God's power is made perfect in weakness.

Yeshua on the Cross

Yeshua's crucifixion is presented as the ultimate example of brokenness. Stripped, pierced, and suffering immensely, Yeshua had every reason to curse those who were hurting him. Instead, He prayed for them, asking the Father to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. This act opened a portal of God's love into the world, demonstrating that even in the deepest brokenness, love and forgiveness are possible.

Peter's Redemption

The story of Peter's denial of Yeshua and subsequent restoration is used to illustrate forgiveness and second chances. Peter denied knowing Yeshua three times around a charcoal fire. After the resurrection, Yeshua met Peter on the shore of Galilee, where they shared a meal cooked over another charcoal fire. Yeshua asked Peter three times if he loved Him, giving Peter the opportunity to affirm his love and receive the instruction to feed His sheep. This scene is seen as a powerful reminder of Yeshua's forgiveness, mercy, and compassion.

Practical Application

The teaching concludes with practical steps to apply these principles to everyday life:

Acknowledge your brokenness: Recognize and accept the areas in your life where you feel broken.
Forgive others: Release those who have hurt you, understanding that forgiveness frees you from bitterness and resentment.
Forgive yourself: Accept God's forgiveness and stop holding your past mistakes against yourself.
Embrace God's love: Believe that you are worthy of love and that God loves you completely and unconditionally.
Reject lies: Identify and reject the lies that you have been told or have come to believe about yourself, replacing them with the truth of God's word.
Allow God to use you: Recognize that your brokenness can be a testimony to others and that God can use your experiences to bring healing and hope to those around you.
Make a choice: Decide to move forward, not defined by your past but empowered by God's grace to live a life of purpose and blessing.
Remember broken crayons still color: Just because you are broken doesn't mean you can't still be used to create something beautiful.

Conclusion

Our brokenness doesn't have to define us. Instead, it can be an opportunity for God to display His power, love, and grace through us. By acknowledging our brokenness, forgiving ourselves and others, embracing God's love, and choosing to move forward in faith, we can allow God to use our broken crayons to create something beautiful and meaningful in the world.

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