A Broken Heart

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

Ps. 147:3

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

Ps. 51:17

A broken spirit - the realization of utter helplessness; a self-imposed depravity

The Lord desires brokenness because He delights in healing.

True surrender to God can come only from a broken heart.

Brokenness is necessary for a victorious Christian life because the Lord only uses fully surrendered hearts.

Nothing between my soul and my Savior, Naught of this world's delusive dream; I have renounced all sinful pleasure; Jesus is mine, there's nothing between. Nothing between, like worldly pleasure; Habits of life, though harmless they seem; Must not my heart from Him ever sever; He is my all, there's nothing between. Nothing between, like pride or station; Self or friends shall not intervene; Though it may cost me much tribulation, I am resolved, there's nothing between. Nothing between, even many hard trials, Though the whole world against me convene; Watching with prayer and much self denial, I'll triumph at last, there's nothing between.

Life, Light, and Little Things

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God"(1 Cor. 2:9-10).

What do I really KNOW about my God?
How much in life am I missing because I'm not looking?
How much more could I know about my God if I payed more attention to the little details in life?

I've been realizing that color in life - however drab or dull it may appear - all depends on the light that reflects it. Just as we perceive color by the frequencies of the light an object reflects, so also our view of circumstances relies on our mental illumination. The more time is spent in God's Word, the more we will see God's hand in events and circumstances. We will experience more peace, joy, and fulfillment, and less worry, discontent, and frustration. We will find joy in the little things. Life is a big thing composed of small things. When we miss the small things, we literally miss life.

This is my challenge - to find joy in the little things in the life God has given me; to be content because I have made the most of it. Am I making the most? I don't know. However, I do know that I often become so consumed with this question that the many small details the Lord would use to encourage me slip by unnoticed.
My goal in this area is well described in the words of Jim Elliot: "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."