How many broken things have I thrown away that still have some use? For example, a broken piece of china can be fashioned into a beautiful tile mosaic. To a far greater degree, God has remarkable creative power when it comes to broken things.
God used broken pitchers in the days of Gideon to conquer the mighty Midianite army. God instructed the small army of Gideon to surround the Midianites, armed with nothing more than trumpets and pitchers. The light shining from these broken pitchers clearly shown where strength resides. To drive home this fact, as they broke the pitchers revealing the light, the soldiers shouted, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.”
God used broken stone tablets to emphasize the sinfulness of his people Israel. When Moses saw idolatry among the people, he smashed the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. And after ridding the people of their golden idols, he went back to the mount and God renewed his covenant on two new tablets. These broken tablets serve as a reminder that we must rid sin from our lives and, if we do, God is willing to allow us to start anew.
God used a broken alabaster box of ointment to prepare the body of Jesus beforehand for burial. Mary broke the box, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. Even though this selfless act drew severe rebuke and criticism from some disciples, Jesus commended her and even today we honor her service. And in her selfless deed, we are reminded that we should be willing to give to Jesus whatever we can and that there is nothing too good for him.
And God used the broken body of Jesus. We remember this every first day of the week. As we partake of the unleavened bread, let us remember the words of Jesus, “this is my body, which is broken for you” (1 Corinthians 11:24). His body was broken, carrying the heavy burden of the sin of the world – the burden of my sin. His body was broken so that our broken lives could be made whole.
Aren’t you thankful that God uses broken things! Submit to his will and allow your life to become a beautiful mosaic of devotion to him.
Thomas Larkin